On September 24, 2019 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Josep Borrell Fontelles, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation of Spain, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Wang Yi congratulated Josep Borrell Fontelles on his nomination as the new High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Wang Yi said, the current China-Spain relations enjoy a sound momentum of development and both sides are actively implementing the important achievements made during President Xi Jinping's visit to Spain last year. The Chinese side is ready to continue to strengthen exchanges with the Spanish side and push for new progress in cooperation in various fields. As Europe is an important force in a multipolar world, the Chinese side always attaches great importance to the status and role of Europe from a strategic perspective, and always supports the European integration process and Europe's more important role in international affairs. There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and Europe. Cooperation far outweighs competition and there are far more areas where we agree than disagree. The two sides share broad consensus and common interests in upholding multilateralism and open economy and opposing protectionism and unilateralism. China's policy towards Europe is consistent and stable. It is hoped that the EU will also follow a more active policy towards China. The Chinese side is ready to enhance communication and increase mutual trust with the new EU institutions, accelerate the completion of negotiations on a China-EU investment agreement as scheduled, launch the China-EU free trade process at an early date, upgrade practical cooperation in various fields, and make more solid progress in deepening China-EU partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilization. We hope that the EU side will take a comprehensive and objective view on China's development, continue to open its trade and investment market and provide a fair environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Europe.

Josep Borrell Fontelles said, President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Spain last year has played a strong leading role in guiding bilateral relations. It gives me great pleasure to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on behalf of Spain. I am ready to play a positive role in promoting the better development of Spain-China and EU-China relations. Spain respects China's position on issues concerning its core interests such as sovereignty and security, opposes protectionism, trade wars, and does not support unreasonable restrictions on high-tech enterprises. China has become a major scientific and technological country. Western countries should not ignore or even obstruct the development of China's science and technology. Instead, they should cooperate with Chinese enterprises in a better way. It is hoped that the EU and China will further intensify communication and coordination in peacefully resolving regional hotspot issues and strengthening cooperation with Africa.