From July 3rd to 5th, Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, accompanied by Spanish Ambassador to China, Marta Betanzos Roig, and Pan Feng, President of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council, visited China to attend the 8th Global Think Tank Summit. This summit, hosted by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, was themed “Working Together for a Better World Amidst Multiple Uncertainties”.
On 4 July 2024, Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Spain, met in Beijing with Mr. Ma Hui, Assistant-minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Ms. Marta Betanzos, Ambassador of Spain to China, and Mr. Pan Feng, President of ECECDC, were also present.
Mr. Zapatero spoke positively of the China–Spain comprehensive strategic partnership and emphasized Spain’s willingness to play an active role within the European Union to promote the healthy development of Europe–China relations. He stated that he advocates deepening mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation and opposes trade protectionism. Against the backdrop of a turbulent international situation, Spain attaches great importance to China’s international status and influence, and is willing to further expand channels for dialogue and areas of cooperation with China, uphold multilateralism, enhance coordination and cooperation in international and multilateral arenas, and jointly address global challenges.
Mr. Ma Hui noted that Spain is a country with significant influence and that former Prime Minister Zapatero has long been committed to promoting the development of China–Spain and China–Europe relations. China is willing to work with Spain to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen pragmatic cooperation across various fields, promote the healthy and stable development of China–Spain and China–Europe relations, and jointly make positive contributions to world peace, stability, and prosperity. Mr. Ma Hui also exchanged views on issues including the European Union’s proposed imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
