In Beijing, Pedro Sánchez and Xi Jinping demonstrate the excellent state of bilateral relations between China and Spain

Beijing (China)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, greets the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping (Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The head of the Executive began his official trip to the People's Republic of China in Beijing, where he met with the president, Xi Jinping, the prime minister, Li Qiang, and the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Zhao Leji. He also inaugurated the Ninth Spain-China Forum and the Spain-China Business Advisory Council (BAC). He also held a bilateral meeting with the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and other leading companies in the sector.

This is Pedro Sánchez's second trip to China in under two years - the previous one took place in March 2023 - demonstrating the desire shared by both countries to continue to provide bilateral relations with a regular dialogue at the highest level. This was precisely one of the aspects that the president of the Government of Spain and President Xi Jinping addressed during their meeting, where they agreed to continue promoting relations in areas of shared interest.

Likewise, during the meeting, President Sánchez stressed that, in matters on which the positions of Spain and China do not fully coincide, Spain will maintain a constructive willingness for dialogue and cooperation, emphasising the country's commitment to developing a positive agenda and seeking consensual solutions that benefit all parties, including Europe.

In this regard, the president said that Spain wants to work to ensure that relations between the two regions are "as close, rich and balanced as possible", based on mutual trust and greater reciprocity.

In an increasingly complex global geopolitical and economic context, we must work together to resolve differences through negotiation, in a spirit of dialogue and collaboration, and within multilateral frameworks. Above all, we must seek solutions that are beneficial to all parties, the president said: "This is exactly Spain's commitment and desire".

The situation in Ukraine and Palestine was also discussed between the two leaders. Spain and China are friendly nations, defenders of peace and committed to the multilateral order. For this reason, the president stressed that "it is in our power" to find a joint solution based on respect for international law and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Both countries share the desire to put an end to these conflicts as soon as possible and to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. "China's influence as a country committed to peace is essential in trying to resolve the conflicts that unfortunately affect the world," he said.

At the end of the meeting, President Xi extended a formal invitation to Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain to visit China next year.

Pedro Sánchez meets with the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang, and attends the signing of agreements | Foto:Pool Moncloa /Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

During the day, the president of the Government of Spain also met with Prime Minister Li Qiang, to whom he conveyed Spain's willingness to deepen a relationship of trust with the aim of strengthening ties between Spain, Europe and China. "We want to build bridges to defend together a fair trade order that allows our economies to grow and benefits our industries and citizens", the president said.

They also discussed the cultural, scientific and educational links between Spain and China, "two countries that embody important cultures", said Sánchez.

At the end of the meeting, seven agreements were signed, reaffirming the commitment to work together in favour of green development, bilateral trade and investment, initiatives for the promotion of culture, education and scientific research.

Inauguration of the Ninth China-Spain Forum and Business Advisory Council

Family photo of the Ninth Edition of the Spain China Forum | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The president of the Government of Spain inaugurated the Ninth China-Spain Forum, one of the main public diplomacy meetings that brings together political, economic, academic and cultural actors from both countries to forge ties and bring Chinese and Spanish societies closer together.

The Forum dealt with topics of great interest for relations between Spain and China, such as green innovation, the protection of biodiversity and the prevention of environmental pollution, and cultural and tourism exchanges. "A key event that contributes to mutual understanding and knowledge between two great countries", explained the president.

Subsequently, President Sánchez also inaugurated the Spain-China Business Advisory Council (BAC), a forum for senior executives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and intensifying trade and investment exchanges, which was celebrating its second edition on this occasion.

In his speech, Pedro Sánchez expressed the need to foster a balanced relationship, based on respect and reciprocity, that benefits both nations and corrects the current trade imbalance.

Non official translation