Wang Yi Meets with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno via Video Link

On November 5, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno via video link, emphasizing that China is not only a serious-minded and responsible participant in the process of tackling climate change but also, more importantly, a doer that keeps feet on the ground.

While speaking positively of the stable and sound development of China-Spain relations, Wang Yi said that as comprehensive strategic partners, China and Spain should strengthen strategic communication, consolidate strategic mutual trust, and advance bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in keeping up with the times. Both sides should respect the development path chosen by each other and accommodate each other's core and major concerns. China is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Spain in 2023 as an opportunity to make a comprehensive plan for longer-term China-Spain ties, and mutually launch the year of culture and tourism for deeper friendly affections between the two peoples and stronger social foundation for bilateral relations. The Chinese side hopes that the Spanish side will echo and participate in the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and wishes the Spanish athletes good performances in the Beijing Olympic Winter Games.

Wang Yi underlined that, China is not only a serious-minded and responsible participant in the international cooperation addressing climate change but also, more importantly, a doer that keeps feet on the ground. China has not only set ambitious goals for achieving carbon neutrality and peaking carbon dioxide emissions, but also developed a set of policy initiatives for these purposes. China is vigorously developing renewable energy, with 15 of the world's top 20 photovoltaic companies and even all of the top five being Chinese. Seven of the world's top 10 wind power companies are Chinese. China phased out 120 million kilowatts of installed coal-fired power generation capacity during the past decade, more than the UK's existing total installed capacity. Wang Yi pointed out that, going green will not happen overnight but should be planned scientifically and pursued orderly and progressively, because haste makes waste.

Wang Yi said, Spain is a major European country and an important power of stability in the EU, and plays a constructive role in Europe and the world at large. China and the EU are cooperative partners instead of competitors. The two sides share a wide range of common strategic interests, and the consensus far outweighs the differences. China has always supported the development, integration and strengthening of strategic independence of the EU. China and the EU should respect and learn from each other, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation.

Noting that China is a great country with a long civilization, Albares said, Spain attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and believes that China is a decisive power in Asian and global affairs. Spain will firmly adhere to the one-China policy and is ready to carry out practical cooperation with China in new energy vehicles, smart cities, people-to-people exchange, and science and technology in line with the principle of equality and mutual benefit. Spain believes that sports transcend politics and wishes the Beijing Olympic Winter Games a great success. Spain will carefully study the Global Development Initiative which shows China's leadership, especially its commitment to developing countries. Spain appreciates China's tireless efforts to combat climate change, particularly its pledge to stop building coal-fired power plants overseas. Spain will continue to support the EU and China in properly addressing the existing problems in a spirit of mutual respect, strengthening communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as economic recovery, climate change, economy, trade and investment.