Virtual meeting between Ambassador Wu Haitao and the Executive Committee of CC

On February 1, the first meeting between the China Chair (CC) and the new Chinese PR ambassador in Spain, Wu Haitao, was held. As representatives of CC, the members of the Executive Committee attended, accompanied by the honorary president Juan Leña and the emeritus president Marcelo Muñoz. Ambassador Wu was accompanied by the Minister Counselor of the Chinese representation Yao Fei.

After an explanation from the president of CC, Rosa Cervera, about the activities carried out by the association, the remaining six members of the committee briefly introduced themselves. Muñoz then commented to the ambassador about his vision of the areas in which it would be important to strengthen cooperation between our two countries, from commercial exchanges to educational exchanges and especially university exchanges. He added that it is essential to increase the exchange of ideas through different institutions.

For his part, Leña commented on the growing interest that exists in Spain about the vertiginous advance of China, its international positioning and its relations with the European Union. The meeting took place virtually, in an atmosphere of cordiality and friendship.

Wu Haitao, ambassador to Spain since April 2020, after four years as deputy representative of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN, made a description of current relations between Spain and China, which he described as "healthy and stable", and noted that following President Xi Jinping's visit in 2018, they have entered a new era. He commented that the cooperation with Spain focuses on areas such as sustainable energy, telecommunications, navigation and railways, framed largely within the New Silk Road program.

He stressed that the Embassy is working to strengthen the exchange between the two countries on cultural, tourism, sports and linguistic issues. It is about strengthening a climate of mutual learning and cooperation to inject a driving force into cooperation and relationships. He stressed that Beijing has the support of Spain to promote China's relations with Europe.

Ambassador Wu also referred to the China Chair, which he described as a “necessary and valuable” institution to promote cultural relations and help interpret what is happening in China in a rational and objective way. To conclude, he expressed his desire for the Covid19 pandemic to end soon in order to hold a face-to-face meeting and congratulated everyone on the Chinese New Year, year of the ox.