BEIJING (AP) 鈥� The leaders of China and Spain on Tuesday pledged to work to safeguard multilateralism at a time of conflicts including the , with Chinese President Xi Jinping saying the countries should 鈥渙ppose the world鈥檚 retrogression to the law of the jungle.鈥�
Xi said they should 鈥渏ointly safeguard genuine multilateralism,鈥� strengthen communication and cooperate closely, during a reception for Spanish Prime Minister at the Great Hall of the People.
S谩nchez agreed and said China and Spain 鈥渃an contribute to finding solutions to the various trade tensions that exist, to the geopolitical difficulties and complexities of today鈥檚 world, to the wars, to the environmental and social challenges that afflict the world.鈥�
S谩nchez is on his to the world鈥檚 second-largest economy. Spain is looking to strengthen political and commercial ties. The visit comes as S谩nchez faces a strained relationship with the U.S. over his opposition to the war in Iran.
S谩nchez sees China as key to end the war
Later, during a press conference, S谩nchez said China was the only global player he could see helping end wars in Iran and other places such as Ukraine.
鈥淚 find it very difficult to find other interlocutors, beyond China, who can resolve this situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz,鈥� S谩nchez said, urging the Asian giant to do more on the diplomatic front.
S谩nchez has been one of Europe鈥檚 loudest critics of the U.S. and Israel鈥檚 military actions in the Middle East. His government recently declared being used in the Iran war, and said it is not allowing the U.S. to in southern Spain for actions related to the war.
In Beijing, S谩nchez said his country wants to avoid impunity for those who commit crimes in places like Gaza, where he said a 鈥済enocide鈥� has been committed.
鈥淚nternational law is being violated today, fundamentally by one country: the government of Israel,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is also an absolutely illegal response from the Iranian regime regarding a war that we have described from the very beginning as a mistake and an illegality.鈥�
Spain hopes for greater access for its products in China
One goal of S谩nchez鈥檚 trip is finding ways to reduce the trade gap with China. He said that after raising the issue with Xi, he sensed 鈥渦nderstanding and a willingness to work to achieve that balance.鈥�
S谩nchez said Spain will sign 19 agreements, 10 of them on the economic side, including some to expand access for Spanish agrifood products in China and boost exports.
鈥淭he current trade imbalance between Europe and China, and between Spain and China, is excessive, and we must do everything possible to correct it,鈥� he said.
The prime minister added that China must see Spain and Europe as a place to invest.
S谩nchez’s wife faces possible trial
While S谩nchez was in China, an investigative judge in Spain concluded a preliminary probe with the recommendation that his wife, Bego帽a G贸mez, who is traveling with her husband, stand trial on and misuse of public funds. A court will decide if she does so.
S谩nchez has repeatedly asserted her innocence.
When asked about the case that has dogged his wife for the past year, S谩nchez replied that 鈥淚 only ask that the justice system render justice.鈥�
He added: 鈥淚 am convinced that time will put everything in its place.”
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