Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called on China to take on a stronger global role in addressing major challenges including climate change, security, defence, and inequality, as he warned that Europe must also increase its own efforts amid shifting global leadership dynamics.
Speaking at Tsinghua University in Beijing on Monday, Sánchez said the world is moving toward a multipolar order and requires greater cooperation between major powers.
His remarks come during his fourth visit to China in four years, reflecting Spain’s continued push to maintain strong engagement with Beijing despite ongoing trade and security tensions between China and Western nations.
Sánchez said China should play a more active role in global governance, particularly in areas such as climate action, global health, responsible development of artificial intelligence, and nuclear non-proliferation.
He also urged stronger international efforts to end conflicts in regions including Lebanon, Iran, Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Ukraine, calling for greater respect for international law.
“The European Union will also have to redouble its efforts, especially now that the United States has decided to withdraw from many of these fronts,” he said.
Sánchez is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, with discussions likely to focus on geopolitical developments and bilateral cooperation.
Spain has been one of the most vocal European countries advocating for deeper trade relations with China, viewing it as a strategic partner rather than a geopolitical rival.
According to Sánchez, China accounts for around 74% of Spain’s trade deficit. Spain is now seeking to boost agricultural and industrial exports to help rebalance trade, which has widened significantly in recent years.
Madrid hopes the visit will help narrow its trade gap, which has grown to nearly $50 billion in 2025. At the same time, Beijing has expressed optimism that the trip will strengthen China–Spain relations and support broader engagement between China and Europe.
China’s state news agency Xinhua News Agency said the visit would further consolidate bilateral ties and promote stable cooperation amid rising global uncertainty.
The trip highlights Europe’s ongoing balancing act between economic cooperation with China and broader geopolitical concerns involving the United States and other Western allies.