Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during their meeting in Madrid, capital city of Spain, yesterday. (Xinhua photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries during their talks in Madrid Monday.

Hu, who is here on a state visit, noted during the talks that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Sino-Spanish relations have run smoothly, featuring frequent high-level visits, increasing mutual trust in political affairs, rapid growth in economic and trade cooperation, ever more active exchanges in science, technology, cultural and other fields, and sound coordination on international matters.

The Sino-Spanish relationship, which is full of vitality, has brought concrete benefits to both countries and their peoples, Hu said.

China highly values its friendly cooperation with Spain, Hu said, noting that the two countries' decision to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership will usher in a new phase of development in bilateral relations.

He said that China is ready to make joint efforts with Spain inthe following aspects:

-- to enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership by strengthening contacts and communication between governments, legislative bodies and parties of the two countries, giving full play to the bilateral political dialogue mechanism, and enhancing consultation on anti-terrorism, non-proliferation, UN reforms and other international issues.

-- to push for a steady growth of Sino-Spanish economic and trade cooperation by complementing each other with their respective advantages in the sectors of machinery, chemicals, light industry, telecommunication and energy.

-- to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in the fields of culture, education, tourism and sports so as to broaden the socialbasis of friendship between the two countries.

-- to enhance cooperation between judicial departments, expedite the ratification of agreements on extradition and other matters, and study the establishment of mechanisms that facilitatethe implementation of the agreements.

-- to establish a task group to jointly advance multilateral cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology, culture andeducation.

Zapatero, for his part, said that the Spanish government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

The decision of the two countries to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and Hu's proposals to enrich bilateral relations will enable the relationship to advance by a great leap,Zapatero said.

He said multilateralism is an effective means to maintain worldstability and that Spain is ready to strengthen cooperation with China on international issues and jointly meet global challenges.

The Chinese president said further promoting the Sino-European comprehensive strategic partnership is of great significance to maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

He added that he is convinced that the efforts by both sides will enable Sino-European relations to proceed better and faster.

Zapatero also stressed the importance of stronger cooperation between Europe and China, saying Madrid will continue to actively press the European Union to solve relevant issues of concern to the Chinese side at an early date.

After their talks, Hu and Zapatero attended the signing ceremony of 16 bilateral agreements on such areas as extradition, cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy and the opening of cultural centers.