China and Spain pledge joint efforts to uphold multilateralism as leaders meet in Beijing

China and Spain expressed their commitment to advancing their ties with strategic resolve and vowed to work together to uphold multilateralism amid threats to the world order.

The pledges were made on April 14 during talks between President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who was on a five-day official visit to Beijing — his fourth visit to China in four consecutive years. Sanchez wrapped up his tour on April 15.

Noting that today’s turbulent world faces the struggle between right and might, Xi called on both China and Spain, as countries that value principle and moral integrity, to enhance communication, consolidate mutual trust, and strengthen cooperation to oppose the world’s regression to the “law of the jungle”, and jointly uphold true multilateralism.

How a country approaches international law, and the international order, reflects its worldview, its conception of order and values, and its sense of responsibility, he said.

He emphasized that both China and Spain should safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, as well as the global order based on international law.

They should also promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.

Regarding bilateral relations, Xi said that an important lesson from the steadily growing bilateral ties is that both sides have made the right decisions based on shared interests.

Facts have proved that deepening cooperation serves the interests of both peoples, and enhances the strength and confidence of both sides in pursuing a path of independence and self-reliance, he said.

Xi called for Beijing and Madrid to place the development of bilateral relations in an important position in their respective foreign policies and support each other in defending sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also called on the two countries to seize opportunities and seek innovation-driven development, enhance cooperation in fields such as trade, new energy, and the intelligent economy, and encourage exchanges in culture, education, scientific research, and sports.

Sanchez expressed willingness to communicate and coordinate with China to jointly address challenges such as international geopolitics, trade protectionism, and climate change.

Spain opposes a new Cold War and attempts to decouple and sever supply chains, he said, adding that the country supports Europe and China in enhancing their communication, mutual understanding, and cooperation.

The sound development of European Union-China relations serves the common interests of both sides and contributes to global peace and stability, he said.

Miguel Otero-Iglesias, a professor of practice of international political economy at Spain’s IE University, said that Spain has always been pro-engagement and believes in openness, which is why it has been pushing back against decoupling from China.

Decoupling from China and containing China is a “strategic mistake”, said Otero-Iglesias, who is also a senior analyst of international political economy at Elcano Royal Institute in Madrid.

In a meeting with Premier Li Qiang on April 14, Sanchez said that Spain supports enhanced dialogue and communication between the EU and China, proper handling of economic and trade differences, and greater cooperation in trade and investment, and the country is willing to play an active role to this end.

Li expressed China’s readiness to work with Spain to expand and upgrade bilateral trade in a more balanced manner and strengthen cooperation in areas such as new energy vehicles and transportation.

China is willing to work with Spain to promote the high-quality development of the China-Europe Railway Express, and jointly build international green shipping corridors, Li added.

After the meeting, Li and Sanchez witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents, covering aspects including trade, education, and science and technology.

Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji, China’s top legislator, also met with Sanchez on April 14.

At a news conference that day, Sanchez said that bilateral political dialogue had been elevated to the highest level in 53 years.

He said the visit is also aimed at advancing a new, multipolar, and more stable international order in which relations are built on mutual respect, pragmatism, and a shared vision of prosperity.

Zheng Wanyin in London contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn