There are two issues that are as urgent as they are vital for Türkiye. chinese diplomacy: align with Europe Gather supporters for and his peace plan for Ukraine. The visit of Spanish president Pedro Sánchez serves both purposes. Madrid is not a heavyweight in the international arena, it is the president of the European Union. European Union The fact that Sánchez will exercise in July raises Chinese interest.
The agreed agenda removes boredom and reinforces the emphasis placed by Beijing. Sánchez will meet with three top officials of Chinese politics in one day: its president, Xi Jinping, the prime minister, li qiangand the president of the National People’s Assembly, Zhao Legi. They underline that Moncloa will be the first European leader to meet with Xi after Xi presents his peace plan and visits Vladimir Putin in Russia.
After years of being imprisoned by China, Chinese diplomacy focused its attention on Europe. zero covid policy. In just a few months, the leaders of Germany, Spain, France And Italy and the highest level representatives of EU institutions. Compare this craziness with the disdain for saving dialogue. United States of America after the balloon gate.
torpedoed links
The war in Ukraine has undermined ties between Beijing and Brussels. A shipwreck for China after he insisted on it. impartiality prioritized the preservation of relations with the EU in the conflict. Conservative Americans in Brussels prevailed over those advocating an autonomous and independent policy. The diplomatic campaign and speeches demonstrate China’s urgency to move Europe away from Washington. Beijing highlights economic benefits (gas and arms sales) and geopolitics Reporting the Ukrainian conflict to Washington and asking Europe to distance itself from those who “fuel the fire with gasoline” (strengthening its alliance with Europe and resurrecting NATO).
It is unlikely that Sánchez’s visit will come up with any news about Ukraine. Europe’s conflict discipline suggests it will repeat the same concerns and claims to Xi and hear the same response as European leaders who have passed and will pass through Beijing. The only new element is that he will be able to discuss 12 items of the peace plan with Xi. Official sources from Moncloa underline the closeness in issues such as respect for ethical principles. sovereignty and territorial integrity and refusal to use nuclear weapon and they applaud the Chinese steps forward in resolving the war. However, they remember the relevance. distinguish between aggressor and aggressor Before the Chinese equality nebula. The debate over the peace plan, however, stands in striking contrast to the humiliation received by the United States.
Europe’s “best friend”
Spain is another opportunity in China’s strategy of convergence with Europe. Here is a country where bullfighters, flamencos and football players are fondly seen. He spearheaded the post-Tiananmen meltdown and often “Our best friend in Europe“Ignoring that Quixote-like investigation in the National Court regarding the alleged Tibetan genocide, it has not had serious friction with China and has not contributed to the most belligerent conversations against Beijing. The bilateral summit in Madrid in 2018 left a good taste for both sides. They will also examine that statement in depth after its mouth and pandemic parenthesis. cooperation in various sectors.
It is not easy for China to reconcile healthy relations with Europe with its enthusiastic rhetoric support for Moscow. Drama is not only geopolitical, but also economic. still in the freezer investment agreement signed in 2020 after seven years and 35 rounds of negotiations. China’s sanctions against MEPs in response to sanctions imposed by extremists xinjiang and then separation due to the war in Ukraine. Under the EU’s upcoming Spain presidency, China chance Normalize relations with Brussels.