Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday expressed his expectations to expand people-to-people and cultural cooperation between China and Spain as he attended the inauguration of the Cervantes Institute's new center in Shanghai.
Sanchez, along with other participants, watched a lively lion and dragon dance performance at the inauguration ceremony, which the Spanish leader said he enjoyed "very much".
Sanchez emphasized that cultural exchanges are a vital pillar for the development of bilateral relations, noting that in recent years, such exchanges have become increasingly close, with language and cultural interactions building bridges to enhance understanding between people of the two nations.
"There are a large number of people speaking Chinese and Spanish as their native language in the world. Spain has become the first European country to have two cultural centers in China, which fully demonstrates the friendship and high level of bilateral cooperation between the two countries," said Sanchez.
The Cervantes Institute is a Spanish public institution created in 1991 to promote the teaching, learning and use of the Spanish language and the dissemination of Spanish culture. The newly opened institute in Shanghai is the second of its kind in China after the first was established in Beijing in 2006.
During his first day in Shanghai, Sanchez participated in three activities related to the fields of humanities and technology. He expressed his expectation to enrich the connotation of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership and strengthen exchanges in culture, education, science and technology to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between their people.
Sanchez is paying an official visit to China from Sept. 8 to 11 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. This is his second trip to the country in a year and a half.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li and top legislator Zhao Leji met with Sanchez respectively on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation and other issues of common concern.
Before traveling to Shanghai, the Spanish PM also attended a business meeting for Chinese and Spanish companies in Beijing on Monday.
Spanish PM expects to deepen cultural ties with China through new culture center
