Source: Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On November 5, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a video conference with Spanish Foreign Minister Alvarez, stressing that China is not only a serious and responsible participant in the process of addressing climate change, but also a down-to-earth activist.
Wang Yi spoke positively of the stable and healthy development of relations between China and Spain, and said that as comprehensive strategic partners, China and the West should strengthen strategic communication, consolidate strategic mutual trust, and advance bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation with the times. The two sides should respect each other's chosen development path and accommodate each other's core and major concerns. The Chinese side is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain in 2023 as an opportunity to comprehensively plan longer-term Sino-Spanish relations, hold cultural and tourism years for each other, enhance the friendly feelings of the two peoples, and consolidate the social foundation of bilateral relations. China looks forward to Spain's response to and participation in the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. I wish the Spanish athletes a good result at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Wang Yi stressed that in terms of international cooperation on climate change, China is not only a serious and responsible participant, but also a down-to-earth activist. China has not only set ambitious targets for carbon neutrality and carbon peaking, but also formulated a set of policy initiatives to this end, China vigorously develops renewable energy, 15 of the top 20 global photovoltaic companies are Chinese companies, and the top 5 are Chinese companies. Seven of the world's top 10 wind power companies are Chinese. China has phased out 120 million kilowatts of thermal power in the past 10 years, exceeding the total installed capacity of the UK. Wang Yi said that the green transformation should be scientifically planned and promoted in an orderly manner, which cannot be achieved overnight, and it is necessary to prevent the desire to be fast.
Wang Yi said that Spain is a big European country, an important and steady force in the EUROPEAN Union, and plays a constructive role in Europe and the world. CEIBS is a partner, not a competitor. The two sides share extensive common strategic interests, and the consensus far outweighs the differences. China has always supported the development and growth of the EU, the European integration process, and the EU's enhanced strategic autonomy. China and the EU should respect each other, learn from each other, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation.
Alvarez said that China is a great country with a long civilization. Spain attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and believes that China is a decisive force in Asian and global affairs. Spain will firmly pursue the one-China policy and is willing to carry out pragmatic cooperation with China in the fields of new energy vehicles, smart cities, humanities, science and technology in accordance with the principle of equality and reciprocity. Spain believes that sport transcends politics and wishes the Beijing Winter Olympics a complete success. The Global Development Initiative demonstrates China's leadership, especially its commitment to developing countries, which Spain will study carefully. Spain appreciates China's unremitting efforts to address climate change, in particular its commitment not to build new coal-fired power plants abroad. Spain will continue to support the EU-China in properly handling existing problems in the spirit of mutual respect, strengthening communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economic recovery, climate change, economic, trade and investment.