On November 28, 2018, President Xi Jinping held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid.
Pedro Sánchez said that it was the first visit by a Chinese President in the past 13 years. It was the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Spain and China which had great historical significance and would usher in a new era in Spain-China relations. The development of Spain-China relations is satisfactory. The two sides are not only important trading partners but also increase chances for cultural and educational exchanges. The Chinese in Spain have also made positive contributions to the development of the Spanish country and the friendship between Spain and China. Under the new area, Spain is willing to increase political mutual trust with China and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The “Belt and Road” is an important initiative of historical significance, and Spain is willing to actively participate in the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”. Spain firmly supports multilateralism, shares a similar position with China in international affairs and is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with China to promote the healthy and stable development of EU-China relations.The two sides issued the “Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Spain on Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the New Era.”
After the talks, the leaders of the two countries jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents, covering areas such as culture, economy, people’s livelihood, advanced materials, telecommunications, third-party market cooperation, education and finance. Guangzhou Barcelona International Hospital and Sino-foreign cooperative education project of Hospital Clinic de Barcelona with SMG as the investor and operator is also one of the projects witnessed by the leaders of the two countries. Zhou Yawei, Member of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Guangzhou Development District, Professor Josep M. Campistol, Chairman of the Barcelona Hospital, signed the contract on behalf of the Guangzhou Development Zone Management Committee, SMG and Hospital Clinic de Barcelona.