"China and the EU must fulfill their international responsibilities, safeguard the economic globalization stream and the international trade environment together, and jointly boycott unilateral and intimidating actions to defend not only their own legitimate rights and interests, but also international equity and justice, as well as international rules and order." This is one of the key points highlighted by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the meeting between Xi Jinping and the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The Chinese Ministry, in an extensive note summarizing the conclusions of Sánchez's visit to Beijing, emphasizes the most relevant aspects conveyed by Xi to the Prime Minister and elaborates on the rejection expressed by the Chinese leader towards the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump. A war that primarily targets the Asian giant.
Xi's message emphasized the principle, also reiterated by Sánchez, that "there are no winners in trade wars" and "those who go against the world will end up isolating themselves," and it is within this framework that he advocates for China and the EU to "jointly boycott" "intimidating and unilateral" actions, clearly referring to the policy of the US Administration.
According to the note, Sánchez praised "the leadership" of President Xi, his "extraordinary development successes," and his "significant contributions to the world's prosperity and stability." Likewise, the Ministry highlights, Spain "firmly adheres to the One China policy," under which Taiwan - as well as Hong Kong and Macao - are part of a single national entity called "China." Additionally, the text adds, Spain is committed to deepening cooperation in areas such as "trade, investment, scientific and technological innovation, and green energy," as well as "strengthening exchanges in fields such as education, culture, and tourism, thus taking bilateral ties to new levels."
In his interest in providing a "long-term vision" to the relationship with Spain, the Chinese President advocated for "consolidating the political foundation of mutual support" so that both countries support each other "in their respective vital interests and major concerns," explicitly mentioning "efforts to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity."
During his meeting with Sánchez, the President insisted that "under the current circumstances," his country and the European Union must "together forge a partnership of peace, growth, reform, and civilization" and "stand firm in considering themselves as partners."
Referring specifically to Spain, Xi, according to his Ministry's statement, defended the importance of maintaining the "excellent and stable development of bilateral relations," especially "the more turbulent and changing the international situation is." In this regard, and coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Spain celebrated this year, Beijing is willing to work with Madrid to give this agreement "greater determination and dynamism."
The Chinese government's note emphasizes that their country is willing to work together with Spain to "fully leverage the advantages of cooperation" and states that both countries are "positive forces for multilateralism, openness, and cooperation" and must "promote a fair and reasonable global governance system, defend world peace and security, and common development and prosperity."