Spanish PM's China visit expected to advance ties: spokesperson

BEIJING, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- China hopes that through the upcoming visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the two sides will further advance bilateral relations and add new dimensions to China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday.

Sanchez will pay an official visit to China from Sept. 8 to 11 at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council.

During Sanchez's visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will have talks and meet with him respectively, Mao told a daily press briefing.

During the visit, the two sides will exchange their views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, and hold the China-Spain Forum, the China-Spain Business Advisory Council Meeting, and the China-Spain Business Forum, among other events.

Noting that China and Spain are comprehensive strategic partners, Mao said since the establishment of diplomatic ties over half a century ago, the two sides have carried forward traditional friendship, deepened mutually beneficial and open cooperation, and maintained sound and steady growth of relations, which has benefited both sides.

"China hopes that through this visit, the two sides will further advance bilateral relations, deepen mutual trust through high-level exchanges, address global challenges through high-quality cooperation, and add new dimensions to China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership," Mao added.