Press conference by the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, following his meeting with the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping

Beijing (China)

SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SPAIN, PEDRO SÁNCHEZ

Good afternoon here in China and good morning also to my compatriots, to the citizens watching this press conference from Spain.

First of all, as I always do, I would like to thank the Embassy staff and the Ambassador for their excellent work in making this very fruitful agenda for the Government of Spain a success. This is our fourth visit in four years to meet with the Chinese authorities. I also want to thank the Chinese authorities for their hospitality and welcome during our stay in Beijing.

As you know, and as the Spanish journalists who follow us have heard me say many times-and I also welcome them-we are living in times of change. The international order that prevailed since the second half of the 20th century is unfortunately being weakened and undermined by significant actors within that order, and some are choosing to deny reality or even lament it.

In the case of the Government of Spain, we prefer to dedicate all our efforts to reforming an international order that has guaranteed peace for many decades and making it far more inclusive, representative, and democratic. A renewed international order would undoubtedly benefit a middle power like Spain, as well as Europe and the entire world.

That is why we are here, why we are back in China, in Beijing for the fourth time in four years. To advance three very clear objectives that I would like to share with you all.

The first is the recognition that bilateral relations between China and Spain are in excellent health, and therefore we have elevated our political dialogue with China to its highest level in the last 53 years.

In 2005, Spain took an important step with the creation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and in 2025 we signed the three-year Action Plan.

But on this visit in 2026, we have gone a step further and established a Strategic Dialogue, which, as you know, is the mechanism used by Chinese authorities with those countries with which they maintain a closer and more stable relationship.

The 19 agreements that we will also sign this afternoon, and our meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Mr. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, clearly demonstrate the importance that China attaches to its relations with Spain and also the strength of the bond we are building.

Along with this first objective, the second objective of this trip has been to move towards an economic relationship that must be much closer, much healthier, and much more balanced. We discussed this yesterday with students from various universities and again today in the bilateral meeting with President Xi. The current trade imbalance between Europe and China, and also between Spain and China, is excessive, and we must do everything possible to correct it.

If we want the globalised economy to continue, it must work for everyone with fair supply chains that create jobs and wealth in all regions of China and also in all regions of Spain.

China must see Europe, just as it sees Spain, as a place to invest and also as a partner with whom to launch industrial projects. I have made this clear to all the authorities I have met with, particularly President Xi, and I must say that I found understanding and a willingness to work together to achieve this balance.

Proof of this lies in the ten economic agreements we will sign today. Five will expand access for our agri-food products to the formidable Chinese market, and four will help us boost Spanish exports, and also develop our transport and infrastructure capabilities. And one will protect the designations of origin of our farmers.

The agreements we signed in 2025 last year have contributed to Spanish exports to China growing by more than 7% in just one year. It is true that the trade deficit has increased as a result of the volume of imports from Spain to China, but in any case, that is the intention, the spirit, and the objective of the Government of Spain: to have more balanced trade relations.

And, by the way, we are convinced that the agreements we are signing today, once again, will help this trend increase and, therefore, consolidate and correct this trade imbalance.

Furthermore, during this visit, I met with 36 Chinese business leaders whose companies were projected to have a turnover exceeding one trillion euros by 2025. And I asked them to invest in Spain. In fact, some of them are already investing in Spain, and our goal is for them to increase their investment and presence in our country.

We want them to build factories, and therefore, to create development centres We want them to open logistics platforms in our country. And we want them to establish partnerships with our companies to expand together into other territories, whether in Africa or Latin America.

In addition to this economic agenda, which is undoubtedly important, Spain wants to broaden and diversify its relations with China. On many levels. And that is why, on this trip, we have also signed eight cooperation agreements in the fields of science, innovation, university education, culture, and an aspect to which the Government of Spain and the Government of China attach particular importance: the management of our biodiversity.

Finally, thirdly, this trip has served to advance towards, let's say, a new, much more stable multipolar order, where relationships are built on respect, pragmatism, and a shared vision of prosperity.

I had the opportunity to discuss with President Xi the reforms that our multilateral system needs to better recognise the multipolar reality of today's world. Also to discuss the grave situations in Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and, of course, Ukraine. And, from Spain's perspective, we also encouraged the Chinese government to continue actively contributing to strengthening this multilateral system and to what experts call the provision of global public goods.

In other words, China, as the great power it is, should increase its efforts to combat the climate emergency, as it is already doing. It should also contribute to reducing poverty, as it is already doing. And, of course, it should also contribute through its diplomatic efforts to resolving the conflicts and wars that plague the world.

I will conclude with one final thought that I believe is important to share with the citizens: Spain is a deeply pro-European country. All the polls confirm this. A large majority of citizens would not understand Spain's way of life or its place in the world outside the European Union. We are a deeply pro-European country and a key member of the EU. We are the fastest-growing economy in Europe, we account for more than 50% of job creation in the Eurozone; in short, we are a country that can contribute not only with its will but also with its actions and policies to the shared prosperity of Europe.

That is our team. That is our family. Interests and values that we will defend and prioritise always. And in this context of defending and prioritising principles and values, I firmly believe that it is in the interest of Spain and Europe to strengthen ties with China. To build positive agendas with China. To define an open relationship, based on respect, pragmatism, and a vision of shared prosperity between both regional blocs.

That is our ambition. That is the objective of our foreign policy. To strengthen ties, to build bridges, and therefore, not the opposite, which is to break bridges or sever ties between nations.

Ultimately, what we want is to be able to actively contribute to the creation of a new global order that definitively brings peace to the world, particularly to those regions where, due to their proximity to the EU, we are currently witnessing not only cruel but also illegal and interminable wars. And finally, in addition to peace, we want it to bring prosperity for all.

I will conclude this brief presentation of the trip here, but I do want to express, of course, the satisfaction of the Government of Spain with the agreements reached, the signings that will take place today, and our continued gratitude to our diplomatic services. In this case, to the Spanish Embassy in China. And, of course, our gratitude to the Chinese authorities for the success of this trip to their country.

And with that, I am available to the media.

Q.- [Jordi Armenteras, RAC1] Well, thank you. Good afternoon. Thank you for giving me the floor. There are many open questions, including some about Spanish politics. We're in China, and I'd like to take the liberty of starting by asking about Xi Jinping's remarks, precisely. When he spoke to you about the evolution of the world, the law of the jungle, about being on one side or the other of history… Are you afraid that this might be interpreted as offensive to Donald Trump, to the current global situation?

And, since we're on the subject, there's an important summit next weekend in Barcelona. In fact, a double summit. What are your expectations? What objectives do you hope to achieve with the meetings in Barcelona on Friday and Saturday?

Thank you very much.

President: Jordi, thank you very much for your questions. I believe that Spain has maintained a consistent position on foreign policy. No one should be offended, on the contrary. Respecting international law, respecting a rules-based international order where the law of the strongest, and therefore the law of the jungle, does not prevail, where we all obey the institutional framework we established after the Second World War, which has brought the greatest period of prosperity and peace in the world, seems to me to be pure common sense.

Moreover, I believe it is in the interest of all nations, and particularly in the interest of medium-sized nations, such as Spain, and to a large extent, all the nations that make up the world, and particularly Europe, which is the region to which we belong and the project to which we belong. It is in the interest of Spain and the European Union that this multilateral system be respected.

That multilateral system is not being respected today. Today, international law is being trampled. And not only that, but those of us who raise our voices against governments that are violating international law find ourselves, contradictorily and paradoxically, subjected to threats from those countries.

Therefore, of course, we will have no problem continuing to be on the right side of history, defending what we consider just, which is undoubtedly legal. And, of course, I believe that this is not only something shared by the coalition government I lead, but that there is a vast majority of citizens in our country who do not want wars, who want peace. Who want stability. Who want justice. An end to impunity. That those who commit rape or genocide, as is the case we are seeing in Gaza, and we hope the same will not happen in Lebanon, should not have their crimes go unpunished. Because that's how the international order must be built, not on the basis of impunity, but on the basis of legality. That is what we will defend. And not only for moral reasons, which are also important, but above all for the general interest of our country.

Regarding the summit we're going to hold, we'll actually have two summits: one that we started almost two years ago with President Lula, former President Boric, and other governments on Democracy, and subsequently, a first global summit of progressive movements, progressive parties, and also progressive governments.

I think the message is quite clear. The message is that waves can be stopped. We've seen it in Hungary. There have been two victories: one, the European victory; two, the victory of democracy.

And I believe it's important that progressive parties and progressive governments unite to convey to the public, especially in Spain, that we belong to something that transcends even domestic politics, that goes beyond our borders. And it is about having a positive, humanist, forward-looking perspective, a commitment to the challenges facing humanity, and to working together against those who make reaction, hatred, fragmentation, and polarisation their way of understanding and practising politics, whether at the national or international level.

I must tell you that I am very pleased with the elections in Hungary.

Q.- [Inma Carretero, El País] Thank you very much. Mr. President, following on from your remarks, when you said that you have asked the Chinese president for greater diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflicts. Yesterday you stated it very clearly, saying that China should do more. I don't know if, in the private meeting you had, if you received any indication that leads you to believe it will use its influence over Russia or Iran more explicitly to stop the ongoing wars.

And, on a domestic level, you have always maintained that justice would ultimately prove your wife's innocence. Appeals have been filed, and lawsuits for malfeasance have been filed against Judge Peinado, yet yesterday he decided to recommend her prosecution. I would like to know if you think she will ultimately be brought to trial. Thank you very much.

President: Thank you very much for your questions, Inma. With regard to the first of these questions, whenever I have said that Spain's foreign policy is consistent with international respect, with respect for international law, we apply it in all areas and in all geographical locations, whether it be Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, or Ukraine.

I have also explained to the Chinese authorities-not just on this occasion, but on every trip where I have had the opportunity to meet with them-that Putin's war in Ukraine is not only a challenge to the territorial integrity of a country like Ukraine, but also an attempt by Putin to undermine and weaken the project to which Spain belongs and of which it is an active part: the European Union.

Therefore, the conflict in Ukraine should not only be viewed as a conflict where a member of the UN Security Council is flagrantly violating one of the main articles of the UN Charter, which is respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, in this case, that of Ukraine, but also as a clear attempt to weaken, undermine, confront, and fragment the European project. And that is something we will not allow.

And at the same time we seek a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. What we want is for international law to be respected, for example, in the Middle East. And international law is being violated today, fundamentally by one country: the government of Israel.

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 illegal act, a war unilaterally initiated by the US administration and also by the Israeli administration.

Therefore, I believe that at times like these, when the international order is being openly questioned, when there is so much uncertainty, and when many people, quite normally and reasonably, feel anxious about what will happen in the present and future of the world, and also about what we will leave to our children and grandchildren, I think the most important thing is to return to the principles, to the most basic, to the most essential, because it is from there that the future and prosperity are built. And that is why Spain is being so firm, so vocal, in the defence of international law.

And, speaking of law, well, indeed, yesterday we learned of this new development, and I have always said so, I have always said so. What I ask of the justice system is that it deliver justice, that justice be served. And since I am convinced that time will put everything and everyone in their place, I have nothing more to say.

Q.- [Carlota Núñez, Cuatro] Good afternoon, Mr. President. I wanted to elaborate on the question my colleague asked. I wonder if you're leaving Beijing with a clear commitment, or if you've perceived a clear commitment from China, to become more involved in trying to de-escalate the tensions surrounding the wars in the Middle East, especially considering Donald Trump's recent threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz to block all ships, and his attacks against the Pope. Talks between Israel and Lebanon begin today in Washington. I wonder if, given this whole scenario, in addition to that commitment, you have any hope that these talks will be successful.

And I also wanted to ask you about the national situation, because today the Government is approving the regularisation of immigrants. VOX is totally against it, they have launched a campaign. The People's Party also considers it outrageous and have said they will use all the resources at their disposal. You have included some modifications following the reports from the State Council. Is that enough to comply with European regulations?

President - Thank you very much, Carlota, for your questions.

Regarding the first one, and please excuse me, Inma, for not answering you more directly, it seems to me-but you are also journalists, and I'm sure you'll agree with what I'm about to say-that it seems very difficult to find other interlocutors, beyond China, who can resolve this situation created in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

Therefore, I think that says it all. I believe that China has an important role to play in finding diplomatic ways to stop this war and to contribute to stability and peace.

Because, ultimately, as I have said many times and I reiterate, we do not support this war. But citizens, households, businesses, and industries in Europe, around the world, and in Spain are already beginning to feel its consequences.

And therefore, any effort that all nations, in particular, and especially those that have a dialogue and have not actively participated in this illegal war, can make is not only welcome but also very necessary, because otherwise the situation the world, and therefore the working middle class, including European and Spanish ones, will face is very serious.

I don't want to diminish in the slightest the gravity of the situation the world is experiencing, and therefore I believe we must do everything in our power to end this, these wars, and offer our societies horizons of peace.

Regarding regularisation: Let me say a few things.

First, what we are doing is recognising the rights of citizens who are already in our country. Second, it is a regularisation process, like many others we have had throughout the more than 40 years of democracy in our country. Incidentally, this has also been under administrations of the People's Party. Mr Aznar regularised half a million undocumented immigrants in our country.

Therefore, we are not doing anything, except, from an economic and moral standpoint, recognise the rights of those who are already contributing to the prosperity and cohesion of our country.

And, finally, this is a regularisation process that has been demanded by various actors who, incidentally, have little or nothing to do with the Government of Spain. We are talking about the Catholic Church. We are talking about social partners, particularly employers, who have asked us to recognise the rights of people who are already living among us and who are working or could work in these companies, because labour is needed to continue growing and to continue on this path of intense job creation that we are experiencing in this country, in Spain.

And finally, one point: we can't expect anything from VOX, because they turn migration, as well as feminism, gender issues, and many other things, into a tool for polarisation and political confrontation.

But what I would ask of the People's Party is that they listen to employers, that they listen to the Catholic Church, and, of course, that they be consistent with their own history, because they too have regularised immigrants. And I insist, we are doing something that is good for our country, because recognising rights is good, and above all, because migration is contributing decisively to our country's economic growth, to job creation, and also to having the healthiest possible Social Security accounts for the pensions of today's retirees, but also for your pensions when you retire, or for mine when I also retire.

Because we are a society, like all Western societies, that is experiencing a demographic winter. And that can be solved in two ways, which are not incompatible: one, with family policies that this government is promoting, for example, the extension of paternity and maternity leave; and two, with regular immigration policies. And that is what this government is also doing.

Therefore, I believe it is a policy that certainly has the support of many stakeholders, from economic and social perspectives, and even religious ones. And I also believe it makes our country better. Because a country that recognises rights instead of curtailing them is, I believe, a better country.

Q.- [Almudena Guerrero, TVE] Thank you. Good morning, Mr President. Returning to Judge Peinado's decision, your government has been very harsh, very critical of the magistrate's investigation, of yesterday's ruling, and also of the fact that he aligns his decisions with international trips. Do you share that indignation? Are you ashamed, as the Minister of Justice says, of what Judge Peinado is doing? And secondly, Mr. President, you were talking about trade relations, about the enormous trade deficit between the European Union and Spain with China. Have you conveyed to President Xi Jinping that the situation is unsustainable, as you said yesterday at the university? Thank you.

President. Thank you very much, Almudena, I have already answered the first question. And regarding the second question, you can use whatever adjective you like.

Of course, we have said that these are relations that must be balanced, that we must address this trade imbalance together. And, I insist, I believe that, moreover, if one looks at the evolution of Chinese exports to Spain, they have clearly increased, and the trade deficit has also increased this year. Europe, according to the data we have, is the only region in the world where this trade deficit has increased, and therefore, also in Spain.

But I also want to highlight the fact that imports of Spanish products from China have increased. Not as dramatically, because that trade deficit remains substantial. And, secondly, I also want to acknowledge and recognise the interest of many Chinese industrial investors in Spain, because if one looks at the flows of investment from China to Spain, they have indeed been very positive in recent years.

In other words, I believe that, together with businesses, the Government of Spain is pursuing sound economic policies when it comes to attracting investment, reindustrialising our country, and also, why not say it, aligning successful economic policies with companies that are, incidentally, at the forefront globally in the automotive sector. For example, yesterday we had the opportunity to see a very specific case in this regard, but also in relation to the energy transformation, the ecological transition, and digitalisation.

In short, I believe there are many areas in which we need to improve this relationship. Undoubtedly, trade is one of them, but there are also other areas where I would like to highlight the close collaboration we have with this country in the fields of science, academia, culture, and languages.

I believe we are gradually building a very positive relationship, which today also marks another historic milestone: 20 years after the signing of the Strategic Agreement between Spain and China under the administration of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. This represents a further step in that strategic relationship, which I hope will bring a bright future to both China and Spain.

Certainly, the Government of Spain will continue working in this direction. Well, thank you all very much, and have a good day.

(Transcript edited by the State Secretariat for Communication)

Original speech in Spanish

Non official translation