Chinese President Xi Jinping told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez today that both countries defend international law, which he said is being “seriously undermined,” and that they are “on the right side of history” in contrast to the “law of the jungle.”
Xi highlighted the alignment between China and Spain, referring to conflicts such as the one involving Iran, at the start of a meeting held at the Great Hall of the People during Sánchez’s official visit to China.
The meeting began with both sides delivering similar messages, with Sánchez also warning about the weakening of international law and calling for a stronger multilateral system.
Xi said he was pleased to meet Sánchez again, noting that this was the Spanish leader’s fourth visit to China in four years, and stressed that since their first meeting in 2023, both sides have promoted a bilateral relationship with “strategic determination.”
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According to Xi, despite global instability, relations between the two countries have remained stable, also contributing to broader stability between China and Europe.
“The facts show that deepening bilateral cooperation serves the interests of both peoples,” he said.
In a “changing and turbulent world,” Xi argued that the international order has been “seriously undermined,” adding that how countries interpret international law reflects their worldview, values, and responsibilities.
“Both China and Spain have principles and stand for justice, and are willing to be on the right side of history,” he said.
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Xi called for stronger communication, mutual trust, deeper cooperation, and rejection of a return to the “law of the jungle,” stressing the need to safeguard true multilateralism and promote global peace and development.
Sánchez also highlighted that this is his fourth visit to China, saying it reflects the hospitality of the Chinese government and the strength of bilateral relations, now reinforced with the launch of a strategic dialogue mechanism.
The Spanish prime minister said there is a need to renew the multilateral system so it better reflects today’s multipolar world and contributes to global peace and stability.
He added that these goals are being undermined by ongoing conflicts, which partly explain his visit to China.
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“We want Spain and China to contribute together to solutions to trade tensions, geopolitical complexities, wars, and environmental and social challenges affecting the world,” Sánchez said.
He stressed that the shared objective must be to strengthen multilateralism and international law, which he said are being increasingly and dangerously challenged.
Sánchez also said Spain can help deepen ties between China and the European Union, noting that cooperation would benefit both societies and global prosperity.
“Spain will rise to the historical challenge, will be courageous, clear, and predictable, and will always work for understanding between nations,” he told Xi.
Xi also recalled the visit of the Spanish royal family to China last November and asked Sánchez to convey his greetings to them.
After the meeting, Xi hosted a lunch for the Spanish prime minister, attended by Sánchez’s wife Begoña Gómez and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
