Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged a more accurate understanding of China during a speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing. He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating Spain opposes a 'new Cold War' and decoupling while supporting enhanced Europe-China cooperation. The visit aims to deepen bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez delivered a speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing on Monday, urging the international community to develop a more accurate and balanced understanding of China. He referenced the story of Matteo Ricci, noting that the world map Ricci introduced centered on Europe, marginalizing Asia and reflecting clear bias. Sánchez said more than 400 years later, some still view China through similarly distorted lenses.
Sánchez warned against interpreting global dynamics through a 'zero-sum' mindset, where one country's growth is another's loss, calling it mistaken and dangerous as it holds back progress and limits future possibilities. He emphasized the increasingly multipolar world and Spain's commitment to multilateralism, calling for cooperation based on mutual respect and constructive management of differences.
On Tuesday, Sánchez met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Sánchez stated Spain opposes a 'new Cold War,' decoupling, and severing supply chains, supporting enhanced communication, mutual understanding, and cooperation between Europe and China, while highly valuing China's status as a major country.
Xi stressed that China and Spain should seize opportunities for innovation-driven development, strengthen cooperation in trade, new energy, and intelligent economy, and encourage exchanges in culture, education, scientific research, and sports to yield more results from their comprehensive strategic partnership and benefit their peoples.
