Spain, China unite against global instability as Xi puts Madrid ‘on right side of history’

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday presented a united front in defence of multilateralism, as both leaders warned of growing instability in the global order during talks in Beijing.

Meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi praised Spain’s role in what he described as a turbulent international landscape and urged closer cooperation between the two countries.

‘China and Spain are principled countries that act with moral rectitude, and both are willing to stand on the right side of history,’ Xi said, calling on both nations to ‘oppose the world’s regression to the law of the jungle, and jointly safeguard genuine multilateralism’.

Sánchez echoed that message, warning that the international system established after the mid-20th century is increasingly under strain.

‘Let us find ways together to strengthen the multilateral system and international law, which is being undermined repeatedly and very dangerously when it is needed more than ever,’ he said.

He added that Spain and China ‘can contribute to finding solutions to the various trade tensions that exist, to the geopolitical difficulties and complexities of today’s world, to the wars, to the environmental and social challenges that afflict the world’.

The visit — Sánchez’s fourth to China in just over three years — comes amid heightened tensions between Madrid and Washington, particularly over Spain’s opposition to the war in Iran and criticism of Israeli military actions in the Middle East. ALSO READ: Trump vows to ‘cut off all trade’ with Spain over Iran stance: ‘We don’t want anything to do with Spain’.

‘No one should take offence at this visit,’ Sánchez said, addressing concerns over how the United States might view his outreach to Beijing. ALSO READ: Sánchez to visit China again, amid rising tensions with US over Iran conflict.

Focus on conflicts and global instability

Both leaders acknowledged the complexity of the current geopolitical climate. Xi described international relations as ‘complicated’ and said the global order is ‘crumbling’, while stressing that ties between China and Spain remain ‘very stable’.

Sánchez said he discussed ‘the grave situation’ in Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and Ukraine with Xi, urging China to play a more active diplomatic role.

‘I find it very difficult to imagine any other partners capable of resolving this situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, other than China,’ he said.

The Spanish leader was sharply critical of ongoing conflicts, stating: ‘International law is being violated today, fundamentally by one country: the government of Israel.’ He added: ‘There is also an absolutely illegal response from the Iranian regime regarding a war that we have described from the very beginning as a mistake and an illegality.’

He also warned of growing pressure on countries that speak out. ‘Those of us who raise our voice against governments violating international law are being threatened,’ Sánchez said, referring to remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Spain has taken concrete steps reflecting its stance, including closing its airspace to US military planes linked to the Iran conflict and refusing the use of jointly operated bases in southern Spain for related operations.

Trade, investment and closer ties

Alongside geopolitical discussions, economic cooperation was a central pillar of the visit. Spain is seeking to rebalance its trade relationship with China, with Sánchez highlighting a significant deficit — estimated at nearly $50 billion. ALSO READ: Spain’s Sánchez urges China to play bigger global role while warning trade imbalance is ‘unsustainable’.

‘The current trade imbalance between Europe and China, and between Spain and China, is excessive, and we must do everything possible to correct it,’ he said, noting he had sensed ‘understanding and a willingness to work to achieve that balance’ from Xi.

A total of 19 agreements are expected to be signed during the trip, 10 of them economic. These include measures to expand access for Spanish agrifood products to the Chinese market and to boost exports, as well as cooperation in transport and infrastructure. Sánchez also emphasised that China should view Spain and Europe as attractive destinations for investment.

Xi, for his part, called for stronger collaboration in areas such as trade, renewable energy and the smart economy, urging both sides to ‘seize opportunities, pursue innovative development, and strengthen cooperation’.

Broader strategic context

Sánchez’s visit, which runs from 11-15 April, comes as a growing number of Western leaders — including those from Britain, Canada, Finland and Ireland — seek to deepen engagement with Beijing despite ongoing trade and security concerns.

Spain has positioned itself as one of Europe’s strongest advocates for closer ties with China, promoting the country as a strategic partner rather than a rival. Sánchez has also urged Beijing to take on a greater global role in areas such as climate change, security, defence and inequality, arguing that the United States has stepped back from leadership on several fronts.

He also stressed the responsibility of so-called middle powers to defend the rules-based order, saying countries like Spain must push to ensure international law is respected.