Xi congratulates Spain on 50 years of diplomatic relations

Beijing, March 9 (EFE).- China’s president on Thursday exchanged congratulatory messages with King Felipe VI of Spain on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message, Xi Jinping said that since 1973 the two sides have “deepened their friendship, promoted cooperation, and established and developed a comprehensive strategic partnership in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries,” state news agency Xinhua reported.

He emphasized the importance of developing relations between China and Spain, and said that he “is ready to work with King Felipe VI to take the 50th anniversary as a new starting point to consolidate political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and enhance people-to-people bonding, so as to jointly write a new chapter of China-Spain friendly cooperation.”

According to Xinhua, the letter from Felipe VI highlights that relations between the two countries “have been developing steadily and smoothly” and affirmed “the friendship between the two peoples (are) ever deepening.”

Spain and the People’s Republic of China officially established diplomatic relations on Mar. 9, 1973 through the signatures of then-ambassadors Pedro Cortina and Huang Chen. EFE

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