Xi urges stronger China-Spain ties as King Felipe visits Beijing

President Xi Jinping has called for a deeper China-Spain partnership during King Felipe VI’s state visit to Beijing, the first by a Spanish monarch in 18 years.

China’s President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that Beijing is ready to work with Madrid to forge a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with greater global influence, as he hosted Spain’s King Felipe VI in the Chinese capital.

The meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People, marked the first state visit by a Spanish monarch to China since 2007. Felipe’s trip comes as Madrid seeks to strengthen ties with Asia-Pacific nations and position Spain as a key EU interlocutor with China.

“The world needs more constructive forces dedicated to peace and development,” Xi said during their meeting, according to state broadcaster CCTV. He said China wanted closer cooperation that would be “more strategically steady, more dynamic, and more influential globally.”

Both leaders later attended a signing ceremony, though no details of the agreements were disclosed.

The visit reflects Madrid’s increasing economic engagement with China, particularly after the European Union imposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles in June 2024. Spain has since sent Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to Beijing twice, targeting investment in green technology, automotive manufacturing, and other growth sectors.

However, tensions persist. Spain, the EU’s largest pork exporter, sells about $1.2 billion worth of meat products to China annually, or roughly 20% of Chinese imports. It now faces retaliatory Chinese tariffs of up to 62.4%, imposed in response to EU trade actions.

China last week proposed resuming investment talks with the EU, stalled since 2021. The initiative coincides with efforts by Beijing to ease tensions with Western partners as U.S. tariffs continue to weigh on Chinese exports.

King Felipe’s ceremonial role has allowed him to act as a diplomatic bridge. “The friendship between Spain and China undoubtedly benefits both peoples,” he said, adding that a “relationship of trust” had been forged.

In April, U.S. officials warned that deepening commercial ties with China was akin to “cutting your own throat”, amid broader EU concerns over trade imbalances and Beijing’s alignment with Russia.

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