Sanchez Believes Beijing Can Play Key Role in Middle East Peace

In the past four years, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez undertook just as many state visits to China, and this latest one took place from 11 to 15 April 2026. This visit occurs in the middle of the US-Iran conflict and a reorientation of the foreign policy of several countries in favor of a rapprochement with the Middle Kingdom. He is the latest in a series of Western leaders from UK, Canada, Finland and Ireland, who have paid an official visit to China since the start of 2026.

Over the past few years, Spain has evolved into China’s ‘privileged interlocutor’ within the EU. Previously, Italy was the only European country to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2019, but then withdrew in 2023. Although Spain has not gone so far as to jump onto the BRI bandwagon, it did allow the Madrid-Yiwu train service back in 2014, although freight volumes remain modest. Currently, it would appear that Sanchez is Beijing’s blue-eyed boy.

During a speech at Tsinghua University, Sanchez emphasized that China can play a key role in the current Middle East crisis. He underscored that a comprehensive and lasting peace can and must be found through political and diplomatic means. He sees the new world order as multipolar and considers that superpowers must take into consideration the position of middle powers.

China reiterated its commitment to multilateral platforms such as the UN for tackling global issues. On the other hand, Spain believes that superpowers, like China, should take more responsibility for global issues such as #ClimateChange and #EnergySecurity.

Sanchez echoed the EU’s position to have a more ‘balanced and reciprocal’ trade with China. In fact, he aims to control the trade deficit with China to within USD 50 billion. Following his meeting with China’s President Xi, Sanchez held a press conference and announced that 19 bilateral agreements between Spain and China have been signed.

Spanish pork products are especially prized by Chinese consumers, and Spain is targeting cherries for export to China for the first time in 2026, subject to meeting phytosanitary protocols.

The two countries inked a landmark investment deal entitled the ‘High-Quality Investment Agreement’, which includes clauses for technology transfer and local content. In addition, the two sides will institutionalize a mechanism to promote on trade and investment.

On the #EnergyTransition battle front, Spain is positioning itself as the gateway for Chinese Electric Vehicles (#EV) into the European Union. Additionally, both sides will cooperate on Green Hydrogen (#GH2), with Spain pledging a USD one billion investment into Envision Energy to develop an electrolyzer plant in Spain. In return, Envision Energy intends to use Spain as a launchpad into Europe.

As part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a Joint Action Plan was agreed upon, focusing on trade, agriculture, science, and societal (#P2P) exchanges. Furthermore, the two countries agreed to set up a permanent strategic dialogue, covering the economy, geopolitics, global governance, and other issues of common interest.