Spanish Prime Minister Discusses Gaza, Ukraine and Trade During Meeting with Xi in China 

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the inauguration of the Spain-China Business Meeting at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, 10 September 2024. (EPA)
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the inauguration of the Spain-China Business Meeting at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, 10 September 2024. (EPA)
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Spanish Prime Minister Discusses Gaza, Ukraine and Trade During Meeting with Xi in China 

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the inauguration of the Spain-China Business Meeting at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, 10 September 2024. (EPA)
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the inauguration of the Spain-China Business Meeting at the Shangri-La Pudong Hotel in Shanghai, China, 10 September 2024. (EPA)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the need for “close, deep and balanced relations” between Spain and China during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Spanish government said.

The Spanish prime minister's second trip to China in less than two years “demonstrates the shared desire by both countries to maintain a regular dialogue at the highest level in their bilateral relations,” the government statement said.

Sánchez and Xi's talks on Monday at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guest House touched on the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the Spanish leader insisted on working toward peace with the involvement of the United Nations. China is one of five permanent, veto-holding members of the UN Security Council.

Spain is a member of NATO, which China has accused of prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch his full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.

Sánchez, who also met with his counterpart Li Qiang, said, “We want to build bridges to jointly defend a fair trade order that permits the growth of our economies and benefits our industries and citizens,” according to the government statement.

Sánchez and the Chinese officials made statements in favor of free trade and the promotion of cultural exchanges and tourism, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, but did not announce any specifics in an ongoing dispute over electric vehicles.

“We hope that Spain will continue to provide a fair, equitable, safe and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies to invest and do business in,” Xi said, according to CCTV.

Sanchez said, “Spain supports the principles of free trade and open markets and does not support a trade war,” according to CCTV.

Trade is one of the thorniest issues between China and Spain. Spain was among the EU members that expressed support earlier this year for a 36.7% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. The Chinese government responded by launching an investigation into imports of EU pork.

The tension has not stopped Spain from welcoming the plans of Chinese carmaker Chery to open a plant for electric vehicles in Barcelona.

The center-left Spanish Socialist leader also attended a business forum in Beijing for Spanish and Chinese companies before traveling to Shanghai. On Tuesday he will attend more business events and the inauguration of a Cervantes Institute, a center that promotes Spanish language and culture.

Sánchez also held talks with the head of the ceremonial legislature, Zhao Leji. Sánchez visited China in March 2023 when Spain held the rotating European Union presidency.



UN Names Former British Diplomat Tom Fletcher to Lead Aid Efforts

Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.
Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.
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UN Names Former British Diplomat Tom Fletcher to Lead Aid Efforts

Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.
Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday appointed former British diplomat Tom Fletcher as the new aid chief for the world body amid worsening humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip, Sudan and elsewhere, largely driven by conflict.

Fletcher replaces Martin Griffiths, who stepped down at the end of June for health reasons.

Fletcher - who is currently the principal of Hertford College, Oxford - was the British ambassador to Lebanon from 2011-2015 and served as the foreign and development policy adviser to three British prime ministers between 2007-2011, the UN said in a statement.

He "has strong experience of leading and transforming organizations and bringing an understanding of diplomacy at the highest levels," the UN said.

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said he did not know when Fletcher would take up the role.

The announcement comes as UN efforts to tackle humanitarian needs around the world are significantly underfunded.

The UN has appealed for $49 billion in 2024 to help 187.6 million of the people in need across 73 countries. But the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which Fletcher will lead, said on Wednesday that so far it has only received $16.21 billion.