MADRID, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Spanish gastronomy is vital to help boost Spain's presence in China, a Spanish official said.

Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros, the High Commissioner for Marca Espana, a Spanish government institution set up to promote Spain's image abroad, made the remark in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

He said Marca Espana planned to have a greater presence in Asia, and especially in China. "One of the tools we have to promote that is our gastronomy, which along with fashion and sport, leads the strategy to enter into important markets such as China."

Although Spanish food is not well known in China, progress is being made in popularizing Spanish culinary traditions in the Asian giant, Espinosa de los Monteros said.

"Every time a prestige chef goes to China, or begins to work in China, they are very popular; it is food that Chinese people enjoy," he said, adding that Spanish food "has prestige and is in the first line of global gastronomy."

He explained that although Spain has a traditional food culture, a generation of chefs, such as Ferran Adria, Juan Mari Arzak, Joan Roca, Martin Berasategui and Eneko Atxa, are also known for their innovation.

"It is a culture which is typified by innovation, talent and technology which has been incorporated into the old art of cooking," he said.

Evidence of that innovation is currently visible in the XXXII edition of the Solon de Gourmets, which opened in Madrid on Tuesday and remains open until the weekend.

"It is an event which specializes in exquisite products, which helps to give prestige to Spain," Espinosa de los Monteros said. This year, 1,300 new products are being presented, he added.