On the afternoon of March 31, 2023, President Xi Jinping met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, who was on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People.
Xi Jinping asked Sánchez to convey his sincere greetings to King Felipe VI of Spain. Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain. Over the past half century, China and Spain have adhered to mutual respect and exchange and dialogue, actively carried out mutually beneficial cooperation, and established and developed a comprehensive strategic partnership. China is committed to advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development, which will provide other countries, including Spain, with a broader market and more cooperation opportunities. China is ready to work with Spain to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a new starting point to deepen and substantiate mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
Xi Jinping stressed that the two sides should adhere to planning bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, stay committed to the fundamentals of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Spain, and support each other on issues concerning respective core interests including sovereignty, security and development. The two countries should follow the general direction of friendship, mutual trust and cooperation in developing bilateral relations. The two sides should synergize development strategies and tap into cooperation potential. China is willing to import more quality goods from Spain and hopes that Spain will provide a fair and just business environment for Chinese companies. China and Spain are both countries with ancient civilizations and great cultures of global influence. The two sides should ensure the success of the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism, promote dialogue and exchanges among world civilizations, maintain close communication within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the G20, and make positive contributions to tackling the common challenges facing humanity.
Xi Jinping stressed that the sound development of China-EU relations requires the EU to uphold strategic independence. Both China and the EU uphold multilateralism, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. The two sides should be partners on the road to modernization and good friends that address global challenges together. China is ready to carry out comprehensive dialogue and cooperation with the EU in the spirit of independence, mutual respect, mutual benefit, and seeking common ground while shelving differences, so as to fulfill their responsibilities for world peace and development. He expressed the hope that Spain will play a positive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between China and the EU.
Sánchez conveyed cordial greetings from King Felipe VI to Xi Jinping. Sánchez said that it gave him great pleasure to visit China this year on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Spain and China. As the world is full of uncertainties, it is only through cooperation that countries can meet various challenges more effectively and promote world peace and global development. Spain is willing to maintain candid communication and dialogue with China, constantly enhance mutual trust, deepen bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation, especially cooperation in areas including electric vehicles, green energy and digital economy, strengthen communication and coordination on climate change and other international and regional issues, and jointly promote further development of Spain-China relations. Spain will take over the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of this year, and will commit itself to promoting dialogue and cooperation between the EU and China.
The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi Jinping stressed that China’s position is consistent and clear, which is promoting peace talks and political settlement. The Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation should be abandoned, and so should extreme sanctions and pressure. He expressed the hope that relevant parties will build a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture through dialogue and consultation.
Sánchez briefed on the views of Spain and said that Spain speaks positively of the document titled “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”, and appreciates China’s constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
Wang Yi and Qin Gang, among others, were present at the event.
