People in Spain expect Chinese leader's visit

People from various sectors in Spain reacted positively to Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the country.

Oscar Becerra is the general manager of Spain's major newspaper El País. He says he hopes that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit will promote bilateral relations between the two countries.

A file photo shows Plaza Mayor – a historical square in Madrid, Spain. [Photo:vcg.com]

"I think that the relationship between Spain and China has existed for a very long time, and now it's 45 years. I think that there're lots of things in common in terms of culture, and a lot of things. Each country can learn from the other country. I hope it helps us build a stronger bridge between Spain and China, and also bridge to Latin American countries."

The past five years has been the fastest growing period in trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Statistics show that the total volume of trade for goods between China and Spain in 2017 was about 31 billion US dollars, a year on year increase of 12.7%, and China is the largest trading partner of Spain outside the European Union.

At the same time, investment of Chinese enterprises in Spain has been growing rapidly in recent years, topping 2.3 billion US dollars.

Li Ya works at the Chinese department of KPMG in Spain, one of the world's four largest accounting firms. The annual business volume in her department has been increasing at a double-digit rate.

Li Ya says that she expects Xi Jinping's visit will open the door for more Chinese enterprises to invest and take advantage of Spain's growing economy.

"I really look forward to President Xi Jinping's visit since it will promote the communication and cooperation between the two countries. I also hope China can know more about Spain and value its advantages in different industries."

There are about 50 thousand people in Spain who learn Chinese thus far, although the teaching of Mandarin in Spain started about a decade ago. For seven consecutive years, the number of people taking the Chinese language proficiency test, better known as HSK, ranked top among European countries.

Sun Yilan is a Spanish girl who currently works at the Spanish branch of the Office of Chinese Language Council International. She hopes to become a Chinese teacher in the future. She says that she hopes the visit will let more Spanish become interested in learning Chinese.

"I expect the visit will promote the bilateral relationship between the two countries and help them prosper together. And I hope it can create opportunities for Spanish young people to go to China to study, to experience the abundant Chinese culture."

Analysts say President Xi Jinping's visit is also expected to strengthen the relationship between China and Europe as a whole.

Javier Solana is the head of ESADE Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics in Spain. He says he expects the visit will help solve common challenges with the joint efforts of the two sides.

"I think that we have problems of climate change, problems of many natures that they have to be resolved in a good way, in cooperation between the members of the European Union and China."

President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Spain from Nov 27 to 29, the first for a Chinese head of state in 13 years.