Beijing: Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged China to take a more active role in shaping a balanced global order, during his visit to Beijing aimed at strengthening ties and cooperation.
Addressing students and leaders at Tsinghua University, Sánchez said the world is gradually moving towards a system where power is shared among many countries. He noted that this shift requires responsible leadership from major nations like China.
He called on China to contribute more in dealing with global challenges such as climate change, international security, public health, artificial intelligence and nuclear safety. He said cooperation between China and Europe is important to ensure stability and progress.
Sánchez also stressed the need to respect international law and encouraged China to support peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.
The visit is part of Spain’s continued effort to build closer economic and political ties with China. Spain is also looking to reduce its trade gap with Beijing and increase exports, especially in agriculture and industry.
Spain’s approach reflects a wider trend in Europe, where leaders are seeking to maintain independent foreign policies while engaging with global powers. This position has at times differed from the approach of the United States under President Donald Trump.
Sánchez’s message highlights Europe’s expectation that China should play a greater role not only in economic growth but also in promoting peace and cooperation across the world.