Spain's King Juan Carlos I on Monday said economy and trade will be the key areas of cooperation between Spain and China in the future.

King Juan Carlos, speaking at Euro-China International Business College in Shanghai, said the number of Spanish companies that had invested in Shanghai had risen to about 200 from 60 in 2004, King said.

He hoped the Spain-Shanghai cooperation would continue to grow.

The king also visited a design exhibition, which showcased 300 Spanish works in design, image creation and furniture over the past 100 years.

The exhibition is part of the on-going "Year of Spain in China" exchange program.

This is the third visit of Juan Carlos I to China. He will meet with President Hu Jintao and other leaders in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2007)