On the afternoon of November 14, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was on a state visit to Spain, met in the Madrid City Hall with Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón and received the Madrid City VIP Key.

Hu noted that the VIP Key awarded by the Madrid City Hall to him reflects the friendly feelings Madrid citizens hold towards the Chinese people. Madrid is a cradle of oriental and western cultures and arts. The Madrid city has played an important role for promoting business cooperation, cultural contact and personnel exchanges between both sides. It is believed that the municipal government and people of Madrid will make new contributions to strengthening contact between both peoples from all walks of life and developing bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

On behalf of the municipal government and people of Madrid, Gallardón warmly welcomed President Hu to visit his city. He noted that the Madrid city will make active efforts to further develop bilateral relations.

On the afternoon of the same day, Hu also met in the State Guesthouse where he stayed with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Spain and the representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese in Spain and Chinese students studying there.