Xi Urges Stronger China-Spain Ties Amid Global ‘Chaos’ and Strained US Alliances.
As Washington fights wars, Beijing builds alliances. Europe is being forced to choose.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for closer economic and strategic ties with Spain on Tuesday, warning that global instability risks pushing international relations toward a “law of the jungle.”
Speaking during talks in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Xi framed the current geopolitical moment as a test of competing worldviews—one based on cooperation and international law, the other on raw power.
“China and Spain should strengthen communication, consolidate mutual trust, and cooperate closely,” Xi said, according to state media, urging both countries to resist what he described as a regression toward disorder in global affairs.
The meeting, held at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, comes as Spain seeks to position itself as a bridge between China and the European Union at a time of growing tension with the United States. Washington’s recent foreign policy moves—including tariffs and its handling of the Iran conflict—have unsettled traditional allies and opened space for Beijing to deepen engagement.
Sánchez welcomed China’s role in supporting diplomatic efforts to resolve the Middle East crisis, saying Beijing could play a “significant” role in advancing peace and stability. He also pointed to the need for reforms in global institutions to better reflect what he described as a “multipolar reality.”
The visit marks Sánchez’s fourth trip to China in as many years and reflects a broader trend of European leaders seeking to diversify economic partnerships. Spanish officials say a key goal is to expand market access for agricultural and industrial exports while exploring joint ventures in energy and technology.
At the same time, Madrid has acknowledged tensions in its economic relationship with Beijing. Sánchez described the trade imbalance between China and the EU as “unsustainable,” signaling that deeper ties will likely come with calls for fairer market conditions.
The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of strained transatlantic relations. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened trade measures against Spain after Madrid refused to allow U.S. military operations from its bases during the Iran conflict—an issue that has further complicated Western unity.
For Beijing, the moment presents an opportunity. By positioning itself as a partner for stability and economic cooperation, China is attempting to strengthen its influence in Europe while avoiding direct confrontation with Washington.
For Spain—and much of Europe—the challenge is more delicate: balancing economic opportunity with China against long-standing political and security ties to the United States.
As global power centers shift, the meeting in Beijing underscores a growing reality: alliances are no longer fixed, and strategic flexibility is becoming a necessity rather than a choice.
