China and Spain signed agreements on language exchanges and other areas on Wednesday as both countries vowed to strengthen cooperation during Spanish King Felipe VI's visit to China.

It's the first visit by a Spanish monarch in 18 years, and the first state visit to China by Felipe since he came to the throne in 2014.

His trip comes as Spain, the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy, seeks to build stronger ties with China while the relationship with the United States is strained under President Donald Trump.

Felipe and Queen Letizia were met by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and were greeted with a performance by the military band and a 21-gun salute.

“China stands ready to work hand in hand with Spain to build a comprehensive strategic partnership that is more strategically steady, more dynamic in development, and more influential internationally,” said Xi in his opening remarks, particularly while the international situation is “complex and volatile."

He said China would import more high-quality Spanish products and tap the potential of cooperation in emerging fields such as new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Xi added that Beijing and Madrid have played a vital role in promoting global openness and cooperation, as well as upholding international fairness and justice.

Felipe is also scheduled to meet with Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress.

He is accompanied by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.

The monarch’s first stop in China was the city of Chengdu, where alongside Spain’s foreign minister and economy minister, he attended a Spain-China business forum with several Spanish business leaders.

Spain has sought to reposition trade relations with China, whose exports to Spain are far greater than those of the Iberian nation.

In April, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made his third visit to China in as many years. After meeting with Xi, Sánchez said Spain was in favour of “more balanced relations between the European Union and China.”

Spain generated more than half of its electricity last year from renewable sources, and needs Chinese critical raw materials, solar panels and green technologies in its transition away from fossil fuels, similar to other EU countries. (AP/Xinhua)