Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was received by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, where he called for a “fair trade order” as tensions between China and the European Union escalate in several economic sectors.
Xi called on Madrid and Beijing to “jointly promote the development of AI (artificial intelligence), digital economy, sustainable energy and other high-tech fields,” according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
“I hope that Spain will continue to provide a fair, just, safe and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing and operating in Spain,” the Chinese president said.
Earlier on Monday, the Spanish Prime Minister had said: “Spain wants to continue to strengthen its relations with China,” to his counterpart Li Qiang who received him at the People’s Palace, a large official building located on the edge of the famous Tiananmen Square.
But for this, he called to “defend together a fair commercial order, in full respect of the multilateral framework and keeping our markets open, which will allow our economies to grow and benefit our industries and our citizens”, according to a message published on the social network X.
Mr Sanchez’s visit comes amid rising trade tensions between the EU and China, with the European Commission launching a series of procedures targeting the Asian giant in recent months.
The most contentious issue is that of Chinese electric vehicles sold in EU countries. The Commission announced on August 20 its decision to impose a five-year surcharge on electric cars from China, including those from the American manufacturer Tesla, which has a factory in Shanghai.
– “Strong links” –
The following day, China announced it was investigating what it deemed to be unfair trade practices by the European Union regarding certain imported dairy products. It launched a similar procedure into imports of pork and pork products from the European Union.
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Spain is the largest European exporter of pork products to China, with more than 560,000 tonnes exported last year, for a total value of 1.2 billion euros, according to the interprofessional organisation Interporc.
On the first day of his visit, Pedro Sanchez sought to be conciliatory, calling for “dialogue” and “cooperation” with China. Inaugurating the China-Spain economic forum in Beijing, the socialist leader praised the “strong ties” that unite the two countries.
“Even on issues where our positions are not exactly the same, we maintain a constructive desire for dialogue and cooperation,” he said, according to a video posted on X.
“We are committed to developing a positive agenda and finding consensual solutions that benefit all parties,” he added.
– “Balanced relationship” –
Pedro Sanchez then met with the China-Spain Business Advisory Council, which he called “an example of the mutual commitment to strengthen and deepen trade and investment relations between our two countries.”
“Our objective is clear: to promote a balanced relationship, based on respect and reciprocity, and beneficial for both nations,” he assured.
The Spanish prime minister was received by Mr Xi during his last visit to China in March 2023 and participated in the Boao Forum of Asia – the equivalent of the World Economic Forum in Davos – on the Chinese island of Hainan.
He will be in Shanghai on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he is due to meet with leaders and businessmen and also inaugurate a Cervantes Institute, a Spanish cultural centre.
His arrival in China comes shortly after the arrival in Spain of the Venezuelan opposition candidate for the July presidential election, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who is contesting the re-election of Nicolas Maduro.
On Saturday, during a meeting of the leadership of the Socialist Party, which he leads, Pedro Sanchez assured that Spain “(was) not going to abandon” Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia, described as a “hero.” The country will grant him asylum.
China, for its part, maintains privileged ties with the government of Nicolas Maduro.
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