Spanish and Norwegian prime minister's visit to China is expected to boost China-Eu relations

​ It is hoped that Spain will continue to play a constructive role in this regard.

"Spain wants to work constructively to make the relationship closer, richer and more balanced," Sanchez said in response, according to Reuters.

Xinhua quoted Sanchez as saying that Spain supports the principle of free trade and market openness, does not agree to a trade war, and is willing to continue to play a positive role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations.

After the EU announced temporary tariffs on Chinese electric cars in July, China launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of pork and pig by-products from the EU, and Spain was China's biggest supplier of pork last year.

During a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Beijing's Great Hall of the People earlier Monday, Sanchez also said Spain wants to continue strengthening ties with China. "We want to build Bridges and together defend a fair trade order" that "allows our economies to grow and benefit our industries and citizens," he said in a post on social media platform X.

Sanchez will visit Shanghai from Tuesday to Wednesday (Sept. 10-11), where he will meet with local officials and businesses and inaugurate a new cultural center at the Cervantes Institute that promotes Spanish language teaching and cultural dissemination.

China this week welcomed heads of government and senior officials from many countries to visit China, kicking off a new round of diplomatic excitement. Among them, Sanchez visited China from September 8 to 11, and Norwegian Prime Minister Stehler also paid an official visit to China from September 9 to 11.

The English edition of the Global Times reported that Sanchez and Steller visited China at the same time, reflecting that some European countries still hope to maintain stable relations with China in the recent complex situation of Sino-European economic and trade relations.

​ The two sides can combine their respective advantages to expand practical cooperation in green environmental protection, energy transformation, maritime shipping, agricultural and fishery products, electric vehicles and other fields.

At the meeting, Steller said that Norway supports free trade, is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China under the G20 and other multilateral frameworks, and supports strengthening cooperation between Europe and China.

Norway has one of the highest penetration rates of electric vehicles in the world, and Norwegian Finance Minister Vidum said earlier that Norway would not join the EU in imposing tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China.

Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation reported that before the visit, Stetler pointed out that it is necessary to find a balance, trade with China, but at the same time there are areas where the two sides do not cooperate.

Norway is not a member of the European Union, and some analysts believe that China's invitation to the Norwegian Prime minister to visit China is quite meaningful, or to send a signal to the EU that China advocates resolving trade disputes through dialogue and consultation, but at the same time has more cooperation options, and will not be influenced by EU pressure.