On April 13, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez delivered a speech at Tsinghua University, stating that although Europe may appear small on the map, its weight is substantial, and its unity guarantees global stability and prosperity. Sánchez also emphasized that to understand this world, one must understand China. If China and Europe have successfully achieved shared prosperity in the past, there is no reason why they cannot rekindle those ties—“we are destined to understand and cooperate with each other.”
Sánchez’s speech sent a clear signal of pragmatic cooperation toward China: his assertion that “one cannot understand the world without understanding China” reflects the mainstream sentiment within Spain and the European Union, which still values dialogue with China. His reference to “China and Europe once knew how to prosper together” and “there is no reason why we cannot renew our partnership” not only responds to recent fluctuations in Sino-European relations—such as disagreements and external pressures—but also calls for both sides to move beyond short-term conflicts and return to a cooperative path, particularly in areas like trade, green transition, and digital governance.
He advocated for balance amid geopolitical competition: amid internal debate within the EU over the “de-risking” strategy, Sánchez, as a leading figure from a major EU country, conveyed a stance against decoupling from China and rejecting bloc confrontation. This aligns with Spain’s tradition of pragmatic diplomacy and reflects broader European aspirations to maintain strategic autonomy between the U.S. and China, avoiding being forced into binary choices.
Engagement with China’s younger generation: Choosing to speak at Tsinghua University was a deliberate effort to directly win understanding among China’s youth elites and intellectual circles. By concluding with the phrase “we are destined to understand and cooperate,” Sánchez aimed to build long-term trust and shape a favorable atmosphere for future collaboration, thereby reducing the impact of populist or adversarial narratives on bilateral relations.
Overall, this statement reflects Spain’s and certain EU forces’ desire to stabilize and deepen Sino-European relations. It also reveals Europe’s attempt to redefine its China policy in a complex international environment—upholding its own values and interests while emphasizing the irreplaceable importance of cooperation. Its real impact will depend on follow-up interactions on specific issues, especially how differences are managed and mutual benefits are fulfilled.
As a significant southern European power, the Spanish Prime Minister’s views carry notable influence. We hope to see more political leaders like him across Europe, driving the healthy development of Sino-European relations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862360617534464/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.