00:00Well, let's talk now to Manuel Torres Salazar, the managing partner in Carriques in China,
00:05a law firm that advises clients on foreign investments in China.
00:09Manuel, welcome, good to see you.
00:11How significant is this visit for Spain and for China? Come to that.
00:17Thank you for having me on.
00:19Well, I think the key business is really, really important
00:21because it elevates Spain-China relations to the higher level,
00:25also gives a diplomatic stamp to invest in the trade initiative
00:29and also improve, somehow, the perspective of the legal framework for FDI in China.
00:36As the Spanish team Felipe Csic said,
00:39a solid economic partnership between China and Spain is based on mutual trust,
00:44transparency and rule of law, where the investment and the trade
00:48remain the key driver of stability of progress of both countries.
00:53Which areas might we see the greatest progress in this relationship?
00:59Well, I think that most of the areas you already mentioned in the introduction
01:04is the green energy vehicle, pharmaceutical, tourist, artificial intelligence, digital.
01:10And also, you have to remind that Spain launched the action plan in 2025
01:16when the prime minister came to China.
01:18So, all this area will be fostered and encouraged in the next years.
01:22How do you see Spain positioning itself in its relationship with China within the wider EU framework?
01:32Yes, it's a really good question.
01:35Well, first of all, let me say that Spain is a really reliable partner,
01:40but Spain doesn't want to be just a trade partner.
01:42He wants to be a strategic partner.
01:45Even though we know we have some problems with the top-port tariff or even the trade imbalance,
01:51Spain within the European Union has two clear ideas.
01:54First of all, Spain supports the European Union strategy for the risking and not decoupling.
02:01And also, Spain is a bridge to building within the European Union
02:05in order to mediate between different countries and different feelings against China.
02:11So, I think that the role that Spain can play in the future will be better than before.
02:19I wonder how important cultural exchanges are and mutual understanding
02:24in strengthening this China-Spain relationship.
02:31Well, did you remember that Mr. Xi Jinping said, referring to our king,
02:35that it's a good friend for Chinese people.
02:37I think it's a really important highlight that we need to remark.
02:42In culture, I think that Spain could be another bridge,
02:46but in this case, focusing on Latin American countries.
02:49I think the Spanish-speaking countries are very important for the Chinese agenda.
02:54Even though Spain is not part of the One Bell, One Road initiative,
02:57Spain is developing and collaborating together with a lot of Chinese companies
03:01where they decide to go overseas to vote Latin America.
03:04So, I think that Spain can play a very good role
03:08and could be a very good partner for this Chinese investment.
03:12Manuel, good to talk to you.
03:13And thanks so much for coming on the programme.
03:16Manuel Torres Salazar.
03:18Thank you for having me.
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