Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has met Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials during his trip to China.

It is his second trip to China in 18 months and comes during a trade fall-out with the EU over electric cars.

The two leaders both made statements in favour of free trade and promotion of cultural exchanges and tourism, according to state broadcaster CCTV, but did not announce any specifics in the ongoing electric vehicles dispute.

"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.

Sánchez responded: "Spain supports the principles of free trade and open markets and does not support a trade war," according to CCTV.

Trade between EU and China in tense period

Trade is currently a difficult issue 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.

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EU exports of pork products to China hit a peak of €7.4bn in 2020 when Beijing had to look aboard to satisfy domestic demand after its pig farms were decimated by a swine disease.

EU pork exports to China have dropped since then, hitting €2.5bn last year. Almost half of that total came from Spain.

Spain welcomes Chinese car maker to Barcelona

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

Xi and Sánchez met at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guest House.

The centre-left Socialist leader also attended a business forum in Beijing for Spanish and Chinese companies before moving on to Shanghai.

On Tuesday he is attending more business events and the inauguration of a Cervantes Institute, a centre that promotes Spanish language and culture.

Prior to holding talks and dining with Xi, Sánchez held talks with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and the head of the ceremonial legislature, Zhao Leji.

The Spanish PM arrived in China late on Sunday and leaves on Wednesday.

Sánchez last visited China in March 2023 when Spain held the rotating European Union presidency.

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