Senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin arrived here Friday, embarking on a four-day official good-will visit to Spain to promote bilateral cooperation.

Upon his arrival, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), issued a written statement praising Spain for its incessant achievements in its national construction.

Spain is playing a more and more important role in international and European affairs, Jia said, adding that China attaches great importance to its ties with Spain.

With joint efforts by the two sides in recent years, China and Spain and the people of the two countries have deepened mutual understanding, scoring considerable achievements in cooperation ina variety of fields, he noted.

To further consolidate and develop Sino-Spanish ties is conducive to enhancing the common interests of the two peoples, safeguarding the world peace and promoting common development as well, Jia stressed, saying that China is willing, together with Spain, to continue to make unswerving efforts for the goals.

Jia said that he looked forward to profound exchanges of opinions with Spanish leaders to make concerted efforts to explorenew means and ways of expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation.

Jia flew here earlier Friday following his visit to Austria in addition to a stopover in Malta.

Spain is the third leg of Jia's four-nation tour, which has taken him to the Republic of Korea and Austria, and will take him to Portugal.