A China-Spain forum was initiated in Beijing Monday after three
years of joint efforts from both sides.
Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio, who is currently on a China
tour, attended a meeting Monday for publicity of the forum.
Forum organizers say the forum, a cooperation project decided by
the government heads of the two countries in 2000, is set up to
boost the two nations' bilateral exchanges in politics, economics,
social culture and sports.
The forum was founded as a way to commemorate the 30th anniversary
of the forging of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Hu
Qili, former vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference, and Juan Antonio
Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee,
will act as chairmen of the forum.
Hu
said the forum's initiation was of special significance at a time
marking the 30th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties,
and their cooperation in politics, economics, science and
technology, culture and sports had expanded.
Last year, China-Spain trade volume reached 3.479 billion US
dollars and Spain's actual investment in China increased 173
percent year-on-year to 92.24 million US dollars, statistics from
the Chinese side indicated.
Hu
said the forum would provide a platform for personnel from the two
sides who are dedicated to boost the two nations' political,
economic, cultural, and sports exchanges and cooperation.
Samaranch expressed belief that the forum would bring the two
nations even closer, pledging efforts for the forum's success.
Organizers said annual meetings would be held in China and Spain in
turn to discuss issues of common concern, and the first meeting was
scheduled in Beijing later this year.
(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2003)