Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's upcoming visit to China is raising expectations in Spain and across the European Union, with observers seeing the trip as an opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation and promote dialogue between China and Europe amid growing global uncertainty.
Speaking in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Jose Luis Centella, president of the Communist Party of Spain, said that Sanchez's trip comes at a critical moment, as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt international stability and economic development.
"We have high expectations because today the world is going through very difficult moments. I would say dramatic ones. There is a crisis caused by the problems in the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in Iran, and in that sense, Sanchez's visit to China offers a possibility for Spain to open markets and for Spain together with China to contribute to a peaceful resolution to the conflicts that are currently shaking the world," said Centella, who also serves as the vice president of the Party of the European Left.
He said Sanchez's multiple visits to China over the past years reflect steady progress in bilateral ties, and that Spain is increasingly seen as an important channel of communication between China and the European Union.
"Fortunately, it is not Sanchez's first visit to China. And the visit will further contribute to the improvement in relations. Today everyone understands that Spain is a privileged interlocutor in China's relations with the European Union. Therefore I hope that Sanchez will not only speak on behalf of Spain, but will also be an interlocutor who can help open the way for the European Union to understand that China is a loyal and necessary partner confronting the crisis that the European Union is experiencing today," Centella noted.
In addition, the chair of the Communist Party of Spain also pointed to the practical economic benefits of enhanced China-Spain ties, citing trade connectivity projects as examples of mutually beneficial cooperation.
"Sanchez's visit should be very important to strengthen the mutually beneficial ties between China and Spain. Cooperation is mutual: Spain needs China and China needs Spain. For example, we have the train service linking Yiwu and Madrid, which can be a connection with the new Silk Road. Therefore, it is a visit that awakens great hope for the Spanish economy and also the European Union," he said.
Spanish politician reaffirms Spain's cooperation with China amid global uncertainty
