Xi Jinping welcomes Spanish PM Sanchez as both sides seek to boost ‘crucial’ ties

Amid a trade stand-off with the EU, the Spanish prime minister called for a ‘fair trade order’ on the first day of his visit to China

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are pictured before their meeting in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:44pm, 9 Sep 2024Updated: 10:13am, 10 Sep 2024

China hopes Spain will continue to play “a constructive role” in advancing bilateral ties with the European Union amid escalating trade tensions, Chinese President Xi Jinping told visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday.

Sanchez was in the Chinese capital on the second day of a four-day visit to China.

“Spain supports the principles of free trade and open markets, opposes trade wars, and is willing to continue playing a positive role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations,” Sanchez said during his meeting with Xi, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry.

Spain hopes to deepen cooperation on new energy vehicles with China, and will offer a supportive environment for Chinese businesses, Sanchez added.

“China is willing to work with the EU to review the successes in bilateral relations and to advance China-EU relations steadily, based on independence, mutual benefit, and contributing to global welfare,” Xi said,noting that next year would mark the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations.

Sanchez also met Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday, telling him that Spain “wishes to continue strengthening its relations with China”.