The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, affirmed this Tuesday before the head of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, that his two countries defend international law, which he said has been “seriously undermined”, and are “on the right side of history” in the face of the “law of the jungle”.
Xi highlighted the coincident position of Spain, in reference to conflicts such as that of Iran, at the beginning of the meeting that both held in the Great Hall of the People on the occasion of the official visit of the head of the Spanish Executive to China.
A meeting that began with very similar language between the Chinese president and Sánchez, who also regretted that international law is being undermined and called for strengthening the multilateral system.
Xi expressed his satisfaction at meeting again with Sánchez, who recalled that he is visiting China for the fourth time in four years, and stressed that on the first time, in 2023, he already conveyed to him that both had to forge bilateral relations with strategic determination and they have achieved it.
Since then, and despite the international situation, he stressed that Spanish-Chinese relations have had stable development and this has also facilitated stability in relations between his country and Europe.
“The facts have shown that the deepening of bilateral cooperation corresponds to the interests of both peoples,” he assured.
For Xi, in a “changing and turbulent” world, the international order has been “seriously undermined,” and he stressed that how a country treats international law and order reflects its conception of the world, order, values and responsibility.
“Both China and Spain have principles and advocate justice, and we are willing to be on the right side of history”
“Both China and Spain have principles and advocate for justice, and we are willing to be on the right side of history,” he stressed.
Xi said the two countries should strengthen communication, consolidate mutual trust, strengthen cooperation and reject the world’s return to “the law of the jungle”, jointly safeguard true multilateralism and defend global peace and development.”
Bet on a multipolar world
In his response to Xi, Sánchez also recalled that this is his fourth visit to China and considered that this figure attests to the hospitality of the Chinese Government and the strength and stability of a bilateral relationship that he explained is now enhanced with the launch of a strategic dialogue between the two countries.
He defended his desire to renew the multilateral system so that it represents in a much more reliable and realistic way the current multipolar world and that it brings peace and stability to humanity.
A peace and stability that he regretted are now undermined by the various conflicts that ravage the world and that he noted also partly explain his presence in China.
“So that together,” he added, “Spain and China can contribute to providing solutions to the different trade tensions that exist and to the geopolitical difficulties and complexities of today’s world, to wars, to the environmental and social challenges that affect the world,” he added.
The goal is to work together to find ways to strengthen the multilateral system and international law, which Xi agreed is being repeatedly and very dangerously undermined and which he considered are more necessary than ever.
He believed that the bilateral relationship should also serve to facilitate an even stronger bond between China and the European Union, as he noted that if both parties understand each other and cooperate, it will be for the benefit of their societies and the prosperity of the entire world.
“I want you to know,” he said, addressing Xi, “that Spain will rise to the historic challenge that is posed, that it will be brave, clear and predictable, and will always work for understanding between nations,” he guaranteed.
Sánchez explained that the Spanish are a friendly and constructive people and that Spain is a country with a long history, stable, predictable and that he is convinced that only that spirit is what will lead to lasting peace.
The Chinese president recalled the visit last November of the kings of Spain to his country, highlighting that he then exchanged opinions with them and reached a consensus, and asked Sánchez to convey his greetings and best wishes to them.
Sánchez also conveyed a greeting from the kings to the Chinese president and stated that Don Felipe and Doña Letizia cherish that visit with great gratitude.
After their meeting, the Chinese president offers a lunch to the head of the Spanish Government, which is also attended by his wife, Begoña Gómez, and the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares.
