Beijing, 9 September 2024 (TDI): Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez started his visit to China on Sunday amid rising trade tensions between Beijing and the European Union.
His visit will be followed by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who is scheduled to arrive in China on Monday.
According to Chinese analysts, the visits of the two European leaders reflect a shared consensus among EU member states to stabilise relations with China.
They expressed hope that the talks would encourage Europe to adopt a more balanced and comprehensive view of bilateral trade and avoid decisions that could result in mutual economic losses.
Both European leaders are set to meet Chinese officials in Beijing and engage in business and cultural activities in Shanghai, a major economic hub.
Prime Minister Sanchez will attend the Spain-China Forum and the China-Spain Business Advisory Council Meeting in Beijing.
He is also scheduled to participate in a bilateral business event organised by the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations and the opening of the Cervantes Institute in Shanghai, Diplomat in Spain reported.
Meanwhile, Norwegian Prime Minister Støre’s itinerary includes an event hosted by the Norwegian Seafood Council and a visit to Fudan University.
He will also attend the christening ceremony of a Norwegian ship built at a shipyard near Shanghai in Nantong, Jiangsu Province.
According to a statement by the Norwegian Consulate General in Shanghai, 55 ships owned by Norwegian shipowners are currently under construction in China, out of a total of 124 globally.
The diverse agendas of the two leaders align with a recent trend where foreign dignitaries visiting China make stops outside Beijing, engaging in varied activities.
While their meetings in Beijing are aimed at enhancing political trust, their engagement with business communities underscores the importance of trade and economic cooperation.
Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that cultural events are indicative of a diversification of interaction channels between China and EU member states.
Key Issues on Agenda
Prime Minister Sanchez’s visit is expected to last until Wednesday, and analysts believe that besides bilateral China-Spain issues, the ongoing China-EU tariff dispute will be a key topic of discussion.
As Europe’s second-largest exporter of electric vehicles (EVs) and the ninth-largest automaker globally, Spain has supported the EU’s provisional tariffs on Chinese EV imports.
A final decision on the tariffs is expected from the European Commission in November.
In a reciprocal move, China has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into EU pork and pig by-products, following requests from its domestic industry under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
Read Also: China Approaches WTO Against EU Over Tariffs on EVs
The probe is expected to conclude by June 2025, although it could be extended under special circumstances.
According to industry data, China accounted for about 20 percent of Spain’s total pork exports by volume and 13.7 percent by value in 2023, as reported by Reuters in June.
The visits of the two European leaders highlight the significance of trade and cultural exchanges in the context of ongoing economic tensions between China and the EU.
