On the morning of April 14, President Xi Jinping met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping noted that despite the changing and turbulent international landscape, China-Spain relations have developed steadily, forging a relationship with strategic resolve. An important experience of this lies in the ability to make the right decisions based on common interests. Facts have proven that deepening cooperation serves the interests of both peoples, aligns with the prevailing trend of our times, and bolsters each other’s strength and confidence in pursuing an independent path. The two sides should always prioritize the development of bilateral relations in their respective foreign policies and support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China combines its long-term strategic goals with phased objectives, and acts with historical patience to draw up and carry out five-year plans generation after generation. China has firm resolve in advancing Chinese modernization and the broad-mindedness to share development opportunities with the world through high-standard opening up. China will inject confidence and momentum into global economic growth through its own development. The two sides should seize opportunities, jointly pursue innovation-driven development, strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, new energy, and smart economy, and encourage exchanges in culture, education, scientific research, and sports, so as to bring about more outcomes in the comprehensive strategic partnership and deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that today’s turbulent world faces the struggle between right and might. How a country approaches international law and the international order reflects its views of the world, order, and values, and its sense of responsibility. China and Spain are both countries that value principle and justice. We need to strengthen communication, consolidate mutual trust, and work closely together to reject any backslide into the law of the jungle, jointly uphold true multilateralism, safeguard the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and foster the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Sánchez noted that his four visits to China in four years demonstrate the high importance both sides attach to Spain-China relations. Investment and cooperation by Chinese businesses in Spain have strongly boosted Spain’s economic development. Spain firmly adheres to the one-China principle, highly values China’s status as a major country, and is deeply committed to developing a Spain-China partnership with strategic resolve. Spain hopes to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, new energy, and other sectors, as well as to enhance people-to-people exchanges. Faced with a complex and challenging international situation and multiple recurring conflicts and disputes, only by adhering to multilateralism and fostering a multipolar world can lasting peace be achieved for humanity. Spain actively supports the four major Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and stands ready to maintain close communication and coordination with China to jointly address challenges related to international geopolitics, trade protectionism, and climate change, while upholding international law and multilateralism. Spain opposes a new Cold War and attempts to decouple and sever supply chains, and supports enhanced communication, understanding and cooperation between Europe and China. The sound development of EU-China relations serves the common interests of both sides and contributes to world peace and stability.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.