Xi Welcomes King Felipe As China Seeks Closer Ties With Spain, Europe’s Rising Ally
In a landmark moment for Sino-European relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed King Felipe VI of Spain to Beijing on Wednesday, marking the first visit by a Spanish monarch to China in 18 years. The visit comes at a strategically significant time, as China continues to recalibrate its diplomatic outreach toward Europe amid growing geopolitical shifts and a cooling of relations with several Western powers. Against this backdrop, Spain’s engagement with Beijing signals a potentially transformative chapter in China’s ties with the European Union, one that could see Madrid emerge as one of Beijing’s closest allies on the continent.
A Historic Visit Amid Global Realignment
The last time a Spanish monarch visited China was in 2007, when King Juan Carlos I traveled to Beijing to commemorate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Nearly two decades later, the global landscape has dramatically changed. China has become a dominant global power, while Europe has been navigating complex internal and external challenges, from economic uncertainty to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China rivalry.
King Felipe’s state visit reflects a renewed determination by both sides to explore mutual opportunities in trade, investment, and cultural cooperation. The Spanish royal’s arrival in Beijing underscores Spain’s pragmatic approach to foreign policy — one that balances its commitments within the European Union with an independent effort to strengthen bilateral relations with major global players like China.
President Xi Jinping personally received King Felipe at the Great Hall of the People, a gesture symbolic of China’s recognition of Spain’s growing importance within Europe. State media highlighted the “warm and cordial” meeting, emphasizing shared respect, historical friendship, and a joint commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation.
Diplomatic Symbolism and Strategic Timing
The visit’s timing is particularly significant. It comes as Europe reassesses its approach to China, balancing economic interdependence with increasing concerns about Beijing’s assertive global posture. In recent years, the European Union has described China as a “partner, competitor, and systemic rival,” capturing the continent’s ambivalence toward its second-largest trading partner.
Spain’s decision to deepen dialogue with China at this juncture may represent an attempt to carve out a more nuanced role within the EU — one that allows Madrid to act as a bridge between Beijing and Brussels. Analysts suggest that by maintaining open communication with China, Spain could position itself as a moderating influence, helping to stabilize the often-turbulent relationship between the EU and the world’s second-largest economy.
The Spanish royal visit also aligns with China’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to expand its influence across Southern Europe, where nations like Greece, Italy, and Portugal have traditionally been more receptive to Chinese investment and infrastructure partnerships compared to their northern counterparts. Spain, with its strategic location, advanced economy, and cultural reach into Latin America, represents an especially appealing partner for Beijing.
Economic Cooperation Takes Center Stage
At the heart of the discussions between Xi Jinping and King Felipe VI was a shared commitment to expand economic and trade cooperation. China remains one of Spain’s most important trading partners outside the European Union, with bilateral trade exceeding $50 billion in 2023, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce. Despite global economic headwinds, trade between the two nations has grown steadily, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, automotive technology, and agri-food exports.
Spain has been one of the few European countries to maintain a positive trade trajectory with China, largely due to its growing exports of olive oil, wine, pork, and pharmaceuticals, all of which have seen strong demand in the Chinese market. In return, Chinese companies have expanded their investments in Spain’s infrastructure, logistics, and green technology sectors, with particular focus on renewable energy projects and electric vehicle manufacturing.
During the bilateral talks, Xi reportedly expressed support for Spanish participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s global infrastructure development program. While Spain has yet to formally sign onto the BRI, Madrid has consistently expressed openness to collaboration in areas such as port modernization, digital connectivity, and sustainable transport — all of which align with its national development priorities.
King Felipe, for his part, emphasized Spain’s desire for a balanced and mutually beneficial economic relationship. In remarks delivered during a state banquet, he highlighted the need for “reciprocal openness, fair competition, and respect for international rules,” subtly echoing broader European concerns over market access and transparency in trade with China.
Cultural Diplomacy and People-to-People Exchanges
Beyond the economic dimension, the visit also focused heavily on cultural and educational cooperation, reflecting both nations’ recognition of soft power as a pillar of modern diplomacy. The Spanish royal couple visited the Palace Museum in Beijing and attended a Sino-Spanish cultural forum, where representatives from universities, art institutions, and tourism boards discussed new initiatives to promote academic exchange and tourism.
Spain has long enjoyed a strong cultural presence in China, bolstered by the global popularity of Spanish language and cuisine. Approximately 45,000 Chinese students are currently studying Spanish, while Spain has seen a steady rise in Chinese tourism, with over 700,000 Chinese visitors recorded in 2019 before the pandemic. Both governments are eager to restore and surpass those numbers as global travel continues to recover.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, China and Spain pledged to expand cooperation in education, science, and technology. They also agreed to enhance cultural exchange programs under the framework of the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism, which is set to feature art exhibitions, film festivals, and business forums throughout 2025.
Spain’s Pragmatic Approach Within the European Context
While much of Europe has adopted a more cautious stance toward China, particularly following the European Commission’s de-risking strategy, Spain has consistently advocated for engagement over isolation. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who visited Beijing in 2023, has been among the few Western leaders willing to pursue dialogue with China on issues ranging from trade to climate change.
Sánchez’s government has framed Spain’s China policy as pragmatic rather than ideological — focused on protecting national interests while maintaining open communication channels. This aligns closely with the tone of King Felipe’s visit, which sought to emphasize cooperation over confrontation.
For Beijing, Spain’s openness represents an opportunity to diversify its European partnerships at a time when ties with other major capitals — particularly Berlin, Paris, and Brussels — are strained over issues such as technology transfer, human rights, and security. Madrid’s position, therefore, offers a valuable counterpoint: a European partner willing to engage constructively while maintaining alignment with EU principles.
Geopolitical Implications and Strategic Messaging
Observers note that Xi Jinping’s warm reception of King Felipe carries clear geopolitical undertones. It sends a message that China continues to value European engagement, despite mounting transatlantic pressure and growing friction with the United States. By cultivating relationships with countries like Spain, Beijing can counter the narrative that Europe is uniformly skeptical or hostile toward China.
From a geopolitical standpoint, Spain’s potential role as a diplomatic intermediary could also prove valuable in areas such as climate diplomacy, global trade governance, and development cooperation. Spain’s historic ties with Latin America, combined with China’s deepening presence in the region, create a natural avenue for trilateral collaboration in infrastructure, sustainability, and energy transition.
“China understands Spain’s unique position within Europe,” said Professor Liu Zhiyong, an expert on European affairs at Peking University. “Spain is respected in Brussels but not seen as confrontational. This makes it an ideal partner for China to rebuild trust with the EU.”
Challenges in the Relationship
Despite the optimistic tone of the visit, both sides are aware of the challenges ahead. The European Union’s trade deficit with China continues to widen, sparking calls for fairer market access and stronger protections for European industries. Spain, like its EU partners, shares concerns about overreliance on Chinese manufacturing and intellectual property protection.
Moreover, Spain’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its alignment with broader European security policies mean that it must navigate carefully between cooperation with China and solidarity with Western allies. While Madrid has avoided the more confrontational rhetoric adopted by some European capitals, it remains committed to the EU’s collective stance on issues such as human rights and global security.
Environmental commitments also form a delicate area of negotiation. Spain, a strong advocate for climate action, has encouraged China to adopt more transparent carbon reduction practices and align with global sustainability standards. However, both sides recognize that their shared goals in renewable energy innovation could serve as a bridge to deeper collaboration.
Renewed Cooperation in Science and Technology
During the visit, King Felipe and Xi Jinping jointly oversaw the signing of several memoranda of understanding covering scientific research, digital transformation, and clean energy cooperation. Spain’s robust scientific institutions, particularly in biotechnology and renewable energy, align well with China’s ongoing efforts to transition toward a low-carbon economy.
The two nations also agreed to enhance collaboration in space research, an area of growing international interest. Spanish companies have contributed components to satellite missions in partnership with Chinese institutions, and both countries have expressed interest in further joint ventures under peaceful and scientific frameworks.
These developments reflect a shared vision for technological innovation as a means of sustainable growth, particularly as both economies navigate the global energy transition. Xi described science and technology cooperation as “a vital engine for the friendship between China and Spain in the 21st century.”
A Broader Vision for Europe-China Relations
For Beijing, the success of King Felipe’s visit extends beyond bilateral ties. It forms part of a broader strategy to rebuild goodwill with Europe through diplomacy, trade, and culture. In recent years, China has intensified outreach to smaller and mid-sized EU member states, including Hungary, Serbia, and Greece, as part of a strategy to diversify its European relationships.
Spain’s engagement provides a crucial test of whether a moderate, dialogue-driven approach can coexist with Europe’s growing skepticism toward China. If successful, it could encourage other EU nations to pursue similar paths of engagement grounded in reciprocity and mutual respect.
“The visit symbolizes a turning point,” said Dr. María López García, a European foreign policy scholar based in Madrid. “It demonstrates that cooperation with China does not have to contradict European values — it can, in fact, reinforce Europe’s global influence by maintaining open and pragmatic relations.”
Humanitarian and Global Governance Cooperation
In addition to trade and culture, Xi and King Felipe discussed global governance issues, including climate change, pandemic preparedness, and sustainable development. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the role of the United Nations in addressing global challenges. Spain, which currently holds a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue in promoting peace and stability.
China and Spain also expressed shared interest in enhancing cooperation in Africa and Latin America, focusing on infrastructure, renewable energy, and education. These discussions reflect an evolving model of global partnership that extends beyond economic transactions to include shared responsibility for global progress.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Sino-Spanish Relations
King Felipe VI’s visit to Beijing marks a symbolic renewal of trust and cooperation between China and Spain. Coming after nearly two decades without a royal visit, it signals a mutual recognition of each nation’s strategic value and a shared commitment to deepening collaboration across diplomacy, trade, and culture.
For China, welcoming Spain’s monarch is a demonstration of its willingness to engage Europe through partnership and respect rather than confrontation. For Spain, it is a calculated effort to strengthen its voice on the global stage by balancing European unity with independent diplomacy.
As the two nations look ahead, their partnership will likely continue to evolve in alignment with changing global realities. Whether in climate action, technology, or cultural exchange, the relationship between China and Spain stands as a reminder that even in an era of division and rivalry, dialogue remains one of the most powerful tools of diplomacy.
The warmth and symbolism of this historic encounter may well mark the beginning of a new phase in Sino-European relations — one defined not by rivalry, but by mutual respect, shared prosperity, and enduring friendship.
