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Spanish PM expects to deepen cultural ties with China through new culture center

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      China

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      Spanish PM expects to deepen cultural ties with China through new culture center

      2024-09-10 19:02 Last Updated At:19:37

      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

      Spanish PM expects to deepen cultural ties with China through new culture center

      Jurg Burri, Swiss ambassador to China, emphasized the importance of maintaining robust diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, while expressing strong support for enhancing free trade, especially with China, within the context of global cooperation efforts.

      During an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), the ambassador stressed the importance of maintaining a positive momentum in diplomatic relations across diverse domains between China and Switzerland as 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relationship.

      "We are of course very happy that China, again, is represented on a high level at the World Economic Forum. And we are happy that the visit will also contain a bilateral element. So, that is all very good news. And altogether, I think that the 75th year of diplomatic relations should further continue what we have started a while ago. And that is very good relations in the field of business, but also many dialogues on many topics as foreign affairs, human rights, environment, energy, health, and so on. And I think we have a good momentum and we should keep it," Burri said.

      The 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting commenced on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, calling for global cooperation amid global uncertainty.

      Themed "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," the five-day event will bring together nearly 3,000 participants from various regions and industries to discuss issues across five pivotal areas: Reimagining Growth, Industries in the Intelligent Age, Investing in People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Rebuilding Trust.

      Burri highlighted Switzerland's crucial role in driving innovation and fostering global cooperation through its internationally oriented companies that create products with the aim of benefiting the world.

      "The World Economic Forum has an index or an indicator, which is the most innovative country, Switzerland has always been on the top of that. When you create innovation in Switzerland, when you do business in Switzerland, you rarely do it for the country, because the country is not big enough. You do it for the region or you do it for the world. And so, connecting is the name of the game. Swiss companies are mostly internationally oriented companies, and they produce something which is good for the world. And therefore, it is asked for in the whole world," he said.

      In addition, Burri stated that Switzerland strongly advocates free trade and values its agreements, including those with China.

      "Switzerland is a small country, we're not a global power, but we do advocate free trade because it serves countries and mostly countries with an open economy, the most. And therefore, you can say that Switzerland is a strong supporter of free trade. And of course, when we have a free trade agreement with China, like we have with other key partners, that is meaningful to us. And we cherish it, and we also want to make it develop and protect it," he said.

      Swiss ambassador stresses robust China-Switzerland ties, backs enhanced global trade cooperation

      Swiss ambassador stresses robust China-Switzerland ties, backs enhanced global trade cooperation

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