China offers support to Spanish government amid Catalonia crisis
Beijing “understands and supports the Spanish government’s efforts to protect national unity”, foreign ministry says
China understands and supports the Spanish government’s efforts to protect the country’s unity and territorial integrity, Beijing said on Thursday, amid moves by Catalonia to declare independence.
The wealthy region’s intention to break away has plunged Spain into its worst political crisis since an attempted military coup in 1981, with Madrid threatening to sack the Catalan government if it goes ahead.
China was paying close attention, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing.
China “understands and supports the Spanish government’s efforts to protect national unity … and its territorial integrity,” Hua said.
It believes Spain has the ability to guarantee social order and people’s interests in accordance with the law, she said.