Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a deeper partnership with Spain, offering a vision of cooperation that he said could carry “great global influence.” His remarks came during a meeting in Beijing with Spain’s King Felipe VI, as both nations signaled an interest in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties.
Xi’s meeting with the Spanish monarch underscored Beijing’s growing effort to engage key European countries amid shifting global trade dynamics. China is seeking to reinforce relationships within the European Union, particularly with nations open to pragmatic cooperation on investment and technology. In return, Spain is hoping to attract greater Chinese capital to boost its economy and expand bilateral trade.
President Xi praised Spain as an “important bridge between Europe and Asia,” emphasizing that stronger collaboration could benefit both sides in areas such as green energy, infrastructure, and technology innovation. “Our two countries should work together to promote mutual trust, deepen friendship, and contribute to global stability,” Xi said during the talks at the Great Hall of the People.
King Felipe VI welcomed the call for closer cooperation and expressed interest in enhancing business and cultural exchanges. He highlighted Spain’s role as a reliable economic partner within the EU and said Madrid seeks balanced trade relations with China. “Spain values its friendship with China and believes that collaboration can lead to sustainable growth for both nations,” the king said.
The meeting comes at a time when many European governments are reassessing their economic ties with Beijing amid concerns about trade imbalances and strategic dependencies. Spain, however, has taken a more moderate approach, focusing on attracting foreign investment while aligning with broader EU policy on fair competition and transparency.
According to official data, trade between China and Spain reached nearly 40 billion euros last year, with Chinese companies investing in renewable energy, automotive manufacturing, and logistics. Spanish firms, meanwhile, are seeking better access to the Chinese market for food, wine, and technology exports.
Analysts say Xi’s outreach to Spain is part of a wider diplomatic push to counter growing skepticism in Europe and to demonstrate that China remains a valuable economic partner. “Beijing wants to show that cooperation with China brings concrete benefits,” said a European policy expert in Madrid.
Both sides agreed to explore new frameworks for cultural exchange and tourism as part of efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties. As global tensions reshape alliances, the Beijing meeting highlighted how diplomacy and economic pragmatism continue to shape China’s relationship with Europe.
