Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with Spanish Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Alfonso Dastis before meeting in Madrid, Spain, May 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Guo Qiuda)

MADRID, May 18 (Xinhua) -- China and Spain should join hands and speak with one voice, given increasing global uncertainties and anti-globalization trends like unilateralism and protectionism, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.

Both nations should jointly promote multilateralism, build an open world economy, and protect the free-trade system with the World Trade Organization at its core, said Wang, who is also a state councilor of China.

Wang made the remarks in a meeting on Thursday with Spanish Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Alfonso Dastis.

Wang said Spain is a regional power and an important EU member with global influence, and is a good friend of China in Europe.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain as well as the 13th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang said China appreciated Spain's constant support in the Belt and Road Initiative. Both sides should strengthen the alignment of respective national development strategies and enhance cooperation in technology and tourism. Both nations should also open up cooperation in such areas as interconnectivity, infrastructure, energy and telecoms.

For his part, Dastis said Spain is willing to push the Spanish-Sino partnership to a new level as both nations celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Spanish side, he said, spoke highly of the great potential and important opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative, and will actively participate in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative.

Spain is also willing to discuss cooperation with China in exploring the third-party market, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, environmental protection and new technologies, Dastis said.

Spain is opposed to unilateralism and protectionism, sticks to multilateralism and protects the process of globalization, he said, adding that Spain is willing to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation with China and jointly maintain global peace and stability.

At a joint press conference with Dastis after their talks, Wang said that both nations have agreed to seize the historical opportunities of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative and push bilateral relationship to a new level.

Spain has recently unveiled it's a new version of its Asian strategy, in which it sets the Sino-Spanish ties as a priority and expresses willingness to align Spain's development strategy with the Belt and Road Initiative. China appreciates Spain's stance, Wang added.