China, Spain pledge to upgrade strategic partnership

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Spain's King Juan Carlos I on Tuesday agreed to further develop the strategic partnership of the two countries.

"Hu and Juan Carlos I agreed to make joint efforts to promote the China-Spain relationship and lift the all-round strategic partnership to a new high," said a statement issued by Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

During their hour-long closed-door talks in the Great Hall of the People, Hu reviewed China-Spain ties in general over the past 34 years.

China and Spain have seen faster progress in bilateral ties in recent years, Hu said, citing increasingly active cooperation on culture, education, science, technology and law enforcement.

Hu said the establishment of the all-round strategic partnership had charted a broader future for bilateral ties.

China appreciated the Spanish government's one-China stance, Hu said.

China would like to particularly step up cooperation with Spain on telecommunications, environmental protection and renewable energy.

China encouraged two-way investment and sought balanced trade ties with Spain, Hu said.

Juan Carlos I said he would like to deepen the all-round strategic partnership through his China trip.

His state visit, the third, coincided with the on-going "Year of Spain in China" exchange program.

Juan Carlos I said he looked forward to stronger Spain-China cooperation on trade, culture and international and regional affairs.

After the talks, Hu and Juan Carlos I visited an arts exhibition entitled "From Titian to Goya: Great Masters of the Museum of Prado" in the National Art Museum of China in downtown Beijing.

Juan Carlos I will attend more business and cultural activities in Beijing before heading for southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday.