China, Spain ink $4 billion worth in business deal as Spanish PM visits Beijing

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, right, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inspect an honor guard during a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (The Associated Press)

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A Chinese People's Liberation Army soldier adjusts a rifle of a member of an honor guard as they prepare for a welcome ceremony for visiting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (The Associated Press)

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, left, talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a signing ceremony between their countries at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, in Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Feng Li, Pool) (The Associated Press)

BEIJING – China and Spain have signed $4 billion of business deals as Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy visits the Asian powerhouse to seek support for Spain's struggling economy.

Chinese premier Li Keqiang announced the deals Thursday just before holding talks with Rajoy in Beijing.

Li said, "we hope to have more pragmatic cooperation with Spain, and look forward to expanding the number of people traveling between the two countries."

Rajoy said the two countries have always enjoyed "friendly and effective" trade relations.

Two-way trade between China and Spain reached $24 billion last year.