China, Spain vow stronger ties and push for multilateralism amid global tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and safeguarding multilateralism during talks in Beijing, amid rising global conflicts and geopolitical tensions.

During a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi emphasised the need for enhanced communication and greater mutual trust between the two nations. He called for closer cooperation to counter global uncertainties and warned against a shift towards unilateralism. “We should strengthen communication, consolidate mutual trust, cooperate closely, oppose the world’s retrogression to the law of the jungle, and jointly safeguard genuine multilateralism,” Xi said.

Prime Minister Sánchez echoed these views, highlighting that both countries can help address trade tensions , geopolitical complexities , and ongoing conflicts, including the recent war in Iran. He also stressed the need for cooperation in tackling environmental and social challenges affecting the global community.

The leaders discussed expanding political dialogue and enhancing economic cooperation , with Spain expressing interest in deepening commercial ties with China. Sánchez’s visit, his fourth in just over three years, underscores Madrid’s intent to strengthen engagement with Beijing.

The visit comes amid strained Spain-US relations , particularly over Sánchez’s opposition to the war in Iran. Against this backdrop, both leaders underlined the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and multilateral principles in addressing global crises.