SPANISH Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the need for “close, deep and balanced relations” between Spain and China during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Spanish government said.
The Spanish Prime Minister’s second trip to China in less than two years “demonstrates the shared desire by both countries to maintain a regular dialogue at the highest level in their bilateral relations,” the government statement said.
Sanchez and Xi’s talks on Monday at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guest House touched on the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the Spanish leader insisted on working toward peace with the involvement of the United Nations. China is one of five permanent, veto-holding members of the UN Security Council.
Spain is a member of Nato, which China has accused of prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch his full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
Sanchez, who also met with his counterpart Li Qiang, said, “We want to build bridges to jointly defend a fair trade order that permits the growth of our economies and benefits our industries and citizens,” according to the government statement.
Sanchez and the Chinese officials made statements in favour of free trade and the promotion of cultural exchanges and tourism, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, but did not announce any specifics in an ongoing dispute over electric vehicles.
“We hope that Spain will continue to provide a fair, equitable, safe and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies to invest and do business in,” Xi said.
Sanchez, meanwhile, said “Spain supports the principles of free trade and open markets and does not support a trade war”.
Trade is one of the thorniest issues between China and Spain. Spain was among the EU members that expressed support earlier this year for a 36.7% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles.
The Chinese government responded by launching an investigation into imports of EU pork.
But the tension over pork has not stopped Spain from welcoming the plans of Chinese carmaker Chery to open a plant for electric vehicles in Barcelona. — AP
