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Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Beijing on Tuesday, calling for closer economic ties and warning against a return to the "law of the jungle" in international relations, according to Chinese state media as reported by The Hindu. The meeting came on the second day of Sánchez's two-day visit, part of his fourth trip to China since 2023, an unusually high frequency among European leaders, as noted by multiple outlets.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the visit varied in focus and tone. Africa News highlighted Spain's independent stance, including restricting US military access to certain bases, and Sánchez's call for China to take a greater role in a multipolar world. Dawn emphasized Sánchez's criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his call for a multipolar order, alongside the impact of US President Donald Trump's policies. Deutsche Welle focused on trade and economic cooperation, detailing Spain's trade deficit with China and Trump's threats to cut trade with Spain. South China Morning Post offered both analytical and skeptical takes: one piece framed Sánchez's visit as a pragmatic approach to EU-China relations, while another downplayed the outcomes as merely "fruit bowl" gains like agricultural market access. The Hindu centered on Xi's warning, framing it as a call for stability in international relations.

Key Claims

  • Fourth visit: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited China for the fourth time since 2023, as reported by Africa News and Deutsche Welle.
  • Independent stance: Spain has restricted US military access to certain bases during the Iran conflict, a move noted by Africa News and Dawn.
  • Multipolar order: Sánchez called on China to take a greater role in a multipolar world and urged closer EU-China cooperation on peacekeeping and conflict mediation, according to Africa News and Dawn.
  • Trade deficit: Spain's trade deficit with China exceeded $49 billion in 2025, having more than doubled in four years, per Deutsche Welle and South China Morning Post. Sánchez described China as accounting for 74% of Spain's total trade deficit, a figure he called unsustainable, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
  • Middle East role: Sánchez welcomed China's role in seeking to resolve the Middle East conflict, with Dawn reporting he condemned Netanyahu for threats over Madrid's opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
  • US threats: US President Donald Trump threatened to cut trade with Spain following Spain's refusal to allow use of its bases for US strikes on Iran, according to Deutsche Welle.
  • Strategic dialogue: Spain and China agreed to establish an annual strategic dialogue, signaling Beijing's recognition of Madrid as a key European interlocutor, as reported by South China Morning Post.
  • Xi's warning: Xi warned against a return to the "law of the jungle" in international relations and called for closer economic ties with Spain, according to The Hindu and Dawn.

Perspectives

Sánchez's visit is seen through different lenses. African and European outlets frame it as Spain positioning itself as a bridge between China and the EU, with a focus on dialogue and multilateralism. South Asian outlets like Dawn emphasize the critique of Western unilateralism, particularly US and Israeli policies. South China Morning Post offers a pragmatic view, acknowledging the need for engagement despite de-risking, but also a skeptical perspective that highlights the limited tangible outcomes beyond agricultural exports. The Hindu underscores Xi's framing of a crumbling international order, aligning with China's narrative of promoting multipolarity. These differing emphases reflect regional priorities and editorial stances, but the core facts of the visit and its key messages are consistent across sources.