BEIJING September 09, 2024: Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has arrived in Beijing on Monday for high-level talks focused on strengthening trade ties with China.
His visit includes meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as well as discussions with prominent Chinese lawmakers and business leaders.
Sanchez, who had previously met Xi in March 2023 and participated in the Boao Forum for Asia, emphasized the significance of Spain-China relations despite ongoing trade disputes between Beijing and the European Union.
At a Beijing forum, he highlighted Spain’s commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue and a collaborative approach to addressing potential issues.
During his trip, Sanchez will also visit Shanghai, where he will engage with local officials and business leaders and officially open a new Cervantes Institute cultural center.
His visit comes at a time of heightened scrutiny on Spain’s diplomatic stance due to recent developments in Venezuela.
Sanchez has supported Venezuelan opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who recently sought refuge in Spain, while China continues to maintain strong ties with Nicolas Maduro’s government.
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This visit occurs amid rising trade tensions between the EU and China. Last month, the European Commission proposed imposing up to 36% import duties on Chinese electric vehicles, leading Beijing to launch investigations into EU subsidies and anti-dumping measures affecting various imports.
Spain, notably, is a major exporter of pork to China, having sold over 560,000 tonnes last year, worth €1.2 billion.
Sanchez’s visit underscores Spain’s efforts to reinforce its relationship with China and expand economic cooperation despite broader geopolitical and trade challenges.
