Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao (R) shakes hands with Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2013. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met with visiting Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo on Tuesday and pledged to boost cooperation between the two countries.

Hailing the smooth development of bilateral ties over the past 40 years, Li said China and Spain, which are both in a period of economic readjustment, should work together to expand reciprocal cooperation, oppose trade protectionism and increase cultural exchanges to further advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the meeting, Garcia-Margallo said Spain attaches great importance to its relationship with China and he looks forward to closer cooperation between the two countries in trade, tourism and culture, among others.