Spain: President Xi to Sign Off a Score of Trade Agreements

China's President Xi Jinping began on Tuesday a visit to Spain, which will lead to signing several bilateral agreements. This is the first Chinese head of state official visit to Spain since 2005 when the preferential relationship agreement between the two countries was signed.

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Xi's first official act is a meeting with the King of Spain, Felipe VI. Then, Xi is meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to seal a joint declaration.

According to China Daily, Xi's aim for the trip is to strengthen the unity of the international community and improve global governance.

During his visit to Spain, Xi will sign off an agreement referring sales to China of table grapes and pork meat.

"With these agreements, great possibilities open up to the Spanish meat industry to access the largest consumer market in the world," said Spanish government sources.

The pork agreement regulates the sanitary requirements to expand the catalog of Spanish exportable products. China gave green light to import pork products, including ham, in 2007 after years of negotiations, but there were still restrictions on pork.

As for the table grape, the agreement sets phytosanitary requirements for export, which will mean an immediate opening of the Chinese market to this product.

The Chinese President's visit will also lead to the signing agreements to avoid double taxation, facilitate economic cooperation in Asia, Africa, and America; and promote the teaching of Spanish in China.

On the occasion, Spanish and Chinese companies will also seal agreements on electricity, banking, ports, and telephony.

China aims thus to involve Spanish companies in the "New Silk Route;" a transport, communications, and infrastructure billionaire project which will link China and Europe by land and sea.