Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has begun a two-day visit to China, meeting President Xi Jinping as part of Madrid’s push to strengthen ties with Beijing amid global tensions. The visit, Sánchez’s fourth to China since 2023, underscores Spain’s growing diplomatic engagement with a major global power.
During the talks, Sánchez emphasized the need for a multipolar world order and called on China to play a greater role in global peacekeeping and conflict mediation. He also urged closer EU–China cooperation on these fronts. The Spanish leader is scheduled to meet Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji before departing on Wednesday.
Spain’s approach reflects a more independent foreign policy stance. Recently, Madrid restricted US military access to certain bases during the Iran conflict, drawing attention in Washington and Brussels. The move signals Spain’s intent to balance its alliances while pursuing its own strategic interests.
Analysts note that the visit highlights Spain’s ambition to deepen economic ties with China, particularly in trade, technology, and infrastructure. Madrid aims to position itself as a bridge between major powers while advocating for diplomatic solutions to international disputes.
The trip comes at a time of heightened global tensions, with Spain seeking to maintain strong EU alignment while expanding its bilateral relations. Sánchez’s address at Tsinghua University reinforced Spain’s commitment to multilateralism and its desire for a constructive role in shaping the international order.
As Spain navigates complex geopolitical dynamics, its engagement with China is likely to remain a key element of its foreign policy strategy in the coming years.
