On the morning of November 14, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in the Prime Minister's Palace and both sides exchanged in-depth views on furthering bilateral friendly cooperative relations and other issues of common interest, reached important consensus and declared the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

During the talks, Hu pointed out that both sides enjoy a time-honored history and splendid culture. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 32 years ago, both sides have witnessed smooth development of bilateral relations and frequent exchange of high-level visits with mutual political trust continuously enhanced and economic and trade cooperation progressing rapidly and both sides have also conducted dynamic exchanges and cooperation in the areas of science and technology, culture, education, tourism and judicature, as well as sound coordination and collaboration in international affairs. The vigorous bilateral relations have brought tangible benefits to both countries and their people.

Hu indicated that China attaches great importance to developing friendly cooperation with Spain and both sides decided to establish comprehensive strategic partnership so that bilateral relations will enter a new development stage. China would like to work with Spain in the following aspects. First, to enrich the connotations of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthen contact and communication between governments, legislatures and political parties of both sides, give a full role to the bilateral political dialogue mechanism and enhance dialogue and consultations on major international issues including combating terrorism, anti-proliferation and the UN reform. Second, to push for steady growth of economic and trade cooperation between both sides and reinforce cooperation in their respective advantageous areas of electromechanics, chemical engineering, light industry, telecommunications and energy resources. China will take active measures to gradually realize balanced development of bilateral trade. Third, to strengthen cooperation in the areas of culture, education, tourism and sports and encourage local governments, press media, cultural institutions and non-governmental organizations of both sides to enhance personnel contact and information exchanges so as to expand the social basis for the friendship between both peoples. Fourth, to strengthen judicial exchanges and cooperation, step up efforts to adopt the agreement on extradition and actively consider the possibility of establishing an agreement implementation and coordination mechanism. Fifth, to promote international cooperation between both sides, set up working groups and jointly push for cooperation between various sides in the areas of economy and trade, science and technology, culture and education.

Zapatero said that the Spanish government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and resolutely adheres to the one-China policy. He indicated that the decision between both sides to establish comprehensive strategic partnership and President Hu's suggestions on developing and enriching bilateral relations have pushed such relations to take a big step forward. The Spanish side fully agreed with these efforts. He emphasized that multilateralism is an effective approach for safeguarding world stability and Spain would like to strengthen cooperation with China in international affairs and jointly respond to global challenges.

When talking about China-EU relations, Hu stressed that in face of the complex international situation, to further China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership is of great significance to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. It is believed that with the joint efforts by both sides, China-EU relations will surely witness more rapid and sound development. Zapatero noted that to continuously enhance EU-China cooperation holds great significance and Spain will continue actively pushing the EU to address China's related concerns at the earliest date possible.

The two leaders also exchanged views on current major international issues.

Following the talks, Hu and Zapatero jointly attended the signing ceremony of the 16 documents on bilateral cooperation in the areas including extradition, peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and establishment of cultural centers in each other.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and other Chinese companions, as well as a couple of Spanish cabinet members attended the talks.