Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, told President of theSpanish Senate Pio Garcia-Escudero in Madrid that although the two countries are different inpolitical system, both sides are facing similar challenges, such as economic development,improving people's livelihoods and strengthening the rule of law.
Garcia-Escudero said China is Spain's most important strategic partner.
During the six-day visit that started on Wednesday, Wu has also conferred with his Spanishcounterpart, the President of the Congress Jesus Posada, as well as King Juan Carlos andPrime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
During the meeting with Rajoy, Wu pledged more cooperation with Spain in renewable energysources, while reaffirming that China "will not be absent" in helping Europe deal with theongoing financial woes.
China’s support for the euro zone and its confidence in its currency is strong, he said. Wu saidEurope can overcome temporary obstacles with a sound economic base and advancedscientific technology.
Citing renewable energy sources as a promising field for cooperation, Wu said China shouldintroduce advanced technologies and equipment from Spain as well as learn from itsmanagement of running renewable power stations.
"China is currently upgrading its energy structure, while Spain has already applied renewableenergy resources to a wide range of fields," he said.
On his first visit to the country, Wu said his priority has been to maintain the high-levelinteraction with the new Spanish government and to enrich the Sino-Spanish comprehensivestrategic partnership.
Saying bilateral ties are better than ever, Wu said China will encourage its companies to importmore goods, including grape wines and olive oils to bolster economic exchanges. During Wu’svisit, the two countries signed 16 cooperative agreements on telecommunications equipmentand network solutions.
China is Spain’s largest trade partner outside the EU. The two-way trade volume reached $27.3billion in 2011, up 11.7 percent from 2010. In 2011, the two countries signed 15 governmentagreements and economic and commercial contracts worth $7.5 billion.
By Zhao Yinan in Madrid ( China Daily)
