On June 9, 2008, Spanish King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero met respectively with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Madrid.

During his meeting with Yang, Carlos said a new era was ushered in in relations between Spain and China when the two countries established the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2005. Carlos said he expects more high-level visits and more cooperation in such fields as telecommunications between the two countries.

The king extended his sympathies over the huge losses caused by the Wenchuan earthquake and pledged continued technical, financial and personnel support to the quake relief efforts in China. He also wished the upcoming Beijing Olympics a success.

Yang said that there has been good momentum of rapid development in relations between China and Spain in recent years. There is a great potential for development in bilateral relations, and China attaches importance to developing relations with Spain. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and China is willing to take this opportunity to work with the Spanish side to further develop the bilateral relationship, so as to bring benefit to both peoples, said the Chinese foreign minister.

During his meeting with Yang, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that Spain is a good friend of China and to develop relations with China is an important component of Spain's foreign policy. Spain, which will host the 2008 World Expo in Zaragoza, would like to cooperate with China on projects related to the upcoming Shanghai World Expo in 2010, he said. He pointed out that the Beijing Olympic Games is a great event for the Chinese people and people across the world. He pledged that Spain will offer firm support for the games and will send a high-level delegation to attend the opening ceremony in August. Zapatero also wished the Beijing Olympic Games a complete success and pledged contribution to this end.