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Spain is looking forward to the continued improvement of Sino-EU relations when it takes over the rotating EU presidency in 2010, said Carlos Blasco Villa, Spain's ambassador to China.

The Spanish government has already been working with China on issues that most concern China, he said without elaborating.

"The presidency is about coordination. But we particularly hope that the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership could be signed at that time," he told China Daily in an interview ahead of the 5th China-Spain Forum which ends today in Chengdu.

Chinese and Spanish delegations discussed issues such as economic, social and legal affairs at the forum. Spanish companies signed agreements to invest in new energy and expressway projects in Sichuan province.

Blasco described the China-EU relationship as "complementary" and said it could develop into a full-range relationship. "The EU's policy to China is open. The EU is a pretty good business partner for China. It's willing to promote bilateral relations in an open way," he said.

With the economic crisis topping every country's agenda, Blasco said China's continued development can contribute to its resolution. "China plays an important role. It's a world factory as well as a world market. It will help solve the crisis as soon as possible if China can sustain its growth rate," he said.

Spain and China, both G20 members, agree on how to deal with the crisis, according to Blasco. Both countries have similar viewpoints on raising the confidence in and creditability of the banking industry, strengthening control on international speculation and avoiding protectionism and unilateral actions.

Spain, along with many other countries, has fallen into a recession because of the crisis.

The Spanish government's plan included providing its banking sector with a 100-billion-euro fund and guaranteeing each person the safety of up to 100,000 euros of savings. The government has also provided 8 billion euros to local governments to help with employment projects.

"These measures have started taking effect in Spain. For instance, the stock market in the last 15 days has risen, which of course does not equal the improvement of the real economy. But it's a good sign," said Blasco, who depicted the woe as "a crisis of confidence".

The ambassador said he hoped the country could get through the crisis as soon as possible. The economic index has shown that the crisis is slowly disappearing, he said, adding that the country could make a turn for the better "at the end of the year or early next year".

Questions:

1. Which country will take over the EU presidency?

2. What is the name of Spain's ambassador to China?

3. On what points do both countries have similar viewpoints on relating to the present global economic crisis?

Answers:

1.Spain

2.Carlos Blasco Villa

3.Raising the confidence in and creditability of the banking industry, strengthening control on international speculation and avoiding protectionism and unilateral actions.

（英语点津 Helen 编辑）

Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.

He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.