Spanish King Felipe VI receives China's top diplomat

Spain's King Felipe VI welcomed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Zarzuela Palace on Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited Spain after attending the Munich Security Conference.

Felipe VI said good relations with China are vital for Spain, Europe and the world, and Spain is willing to explore more new areas of cooperation with China. He also stated that China-proposed initiatives such as building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative have brought peace, development and hope to the world.

Felipe VI expressed his hope that China, as a major country, will further exert its positive influence to cool down tensions and bring stability to the turbulent world.

In response, Wang Yi thanked the Spanish royal family's friendly policy toward China and confirmed China's support for Spain's efforts to safeguard its national unity. He added that China is ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Spain and promote sustained, sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

The foreign minister also mentioned China's high-quality development, stating that China, with a population of over 1.4 billion, is comprehensively promoting Chinese modernization, which will bring great opportunities to the world. 

He emphasized that China's development is the strengthening force for world peace and stability, and expressed China's willingness to work with Spain to promote dialogue and cooperation among countries, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and better address global challenges.

Wang also met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his counterpart Jose Manuel Albares during his visit.