While awaiting a change of power in the White House, Spain is building ties with China
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s visit to Beijing from April 11 to 15, already his fourth in three years, took place amid growing geopolitical tensions and calls for the “decoupling” of European economies from China’s economy. Madrid and Beijing not only signed a package of documents, but also laid the groundwork for a new stage of cooperation. Spain is deliberately taking on the role of a “bridge” between China and Europe, which may have long-term consequences both for the European Union as a whole and for the PRC.
According to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain and China have elevated their political dialogue to the highest level in nearly 53 years, strengthening ties within bilateral cooperation.
Mutual protection of integrity and sovereignty
The key political outcome of the talks was the decision to establish a mechanism for strategic diplomatic dialogue. On April 14, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares signed the relevant agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
During Sánchez’s previous visit to China in April 2025, the two countries signed the Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2025–2028). The April 14, 2026 agreement is an implementation and continuation of this Action Plan, which will facilitate political dialogue at the level of the foreign ministries’ heads. Thanks to this agreement, Spain has gained the opportunity to conduct dialogue with China in a format similar to the one it already has with France and Germany.
In addition, Pedro Sánchez reaffirmed that Spain firmly adheres to the One China principle and expressed hope for expanded cooperation in various fields, including the economy, trade, investment, culture, education, and tourism; the development of exchanges between legislative bodies; support for a multilateral approach; and the promotion of healthy and stable development of relations between Spain and China, as well as between Spain and the EU.
Speaking about bilateral relations, Xi Jinping noted that both sides are making correct decisions based on common interests. Deepening cooperation serves the interests of both peoples and strengthens the position and confidence of both sides on the path toward independence and self-reliance, he said. Xi called on Beijing and Madrid to give an important place to the development of bilateral relations in their foreign policy and to support each other on issues of protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Economy and trade
One of the tasks Sánchez was expected to address during his trip to Beijing was eliminating the trade imbalance that currently works against Spain. The signed agreements will help Spain move from the role of importer of Chinese goods to that of an active exporter, using Chinese demand to support its own agriculture and industry.
In particular, contracts were concluded in the agri-food sector that expand Spanish exports through newly approved products for export, such as pistachios, dried figs, pork protein, and certain types of fertilizers, which will help balance economic and trade relations.
Spain hopes to restore trade balance by increasing exports of higher value-added goods and improving recognition of the Spanish brand in China. Both sides are expected to encourage bilateral investment to support long-term economic growth.
Another important area of cooperation between the two countries is the pharmaceutical industry. As Miguel Bufala Pérez, head of the international department of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, noted, China’s rising life expectancy is increasing demand for medical goods. Spain, for its part, has a developed pharmaceutical industry.
China’s achievements in active pharmaceutical ingredients, large-scale production, and rapidly developing biopharmaceutical innovation complement Spain’s strengths in clinical trials, access to the European Union market, and compliance with high regulatory standards, creating a solid foundation for the joint development of the pharmaceutical sector.
Trade between Spain and China continues to grow year after year. According to data from China’s Ministry of Commerce, trade volume exceeded $55 billion in 2025, an increase of nearly 10% compared to the previous year. The structure of trade continues to improve, with a growing share of high-tech products and goods with high added value. Bilateral investment has also increased to nearly $11 billion, and cooperation between industries and supply chains is strengthening.
Science, culture, and technology
In the fields of education, culture, and science, Spain and China agreed to cooperate on the creation of joint campuses for teaching and university research, as well as on participation in projects of the National Archaeological Museum and the National Museum of China, and on an agreement in the field of forestry and biodiversity conservation.
The countries’ leaders discussed the construction of the world’s largest Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the island of La Palma. Its primary mirror will have a diameter of 30 meters and consist of 492 separate segments. This design will allow it to collect nine times more light than the largest existing telescopes, and its image resolution will be up to twelve times higher than that of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Previously, the TMT was planned to be built on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii (USA), where several major observatories are already located. However, the project faced opposition from Indigenous residents—for Hawaiians, Mauna Kea is a sacred mountain, and the construction of a new telescope is seen as desecration. In addition, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump cut science spending and froze funding for the project.
The Spanish government has declared its readiness to provide €400 million for the construction of the telescope. These funds are expected to be allocated through the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI).
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and its National Astronomical Observatories (NAOC) are participating in the TMT project as observers. Previously, the Chinese side had already expressed a positive attitude toward the possible placement of the TMT in Spain. By approving this initiative at the highest political level, Beijing is giving the project a powerful boost.
Installing the TMT on the island of La Palma would virtually guarantee the transformation of Spain and the Canary Islands into a global center of astrophysics in the Northern Hemisphere. The project will directly create about 150 highly skilled permanent jobs, and during the construction period more than 900 direct and indirect jobs.
Spain will become a key member of the international TMT consortium, which also includes the United States, Japan, China, Canada, and India. This will cement its status as one of the world’s leaders in high technology and scientific diplomacy. Therefore, Beijing’s support is of particular value to Spain. Spain is offering China not just a site, but a ready-made solution: unlike Hawaii, all permits are already in place here, and there is support from local residents. For China, this is a chance to enter the elite club of astronomical powers without the risk of protests and lawsuits.
The countries also discussed strategic cooperation in the development and use of renewable energy sources. Spain is a recognized European leader in solar and wind energy. Chinese companies, which already possess advanced and competitive technologies, will have the opportunity to exchange experience and develop joint innovations.
Cooperation with one of the EU’s key players allows China to confirm its status as a responsible member of the international community on climate issues, which is a strong argument in disputes over Brussels’ “green protectionism.” In addition, Spain may serve Chinese companies as a “testing ground” and showcase platform from which they can later enter the broader markets of Latin America and North Africa.
Joint statements and positions
The parties made a number of important joint statements reflecting their shared vision of the international situation.
The countries’ leaders confirmed that cooperation between Beijing and Madrid serves the interests of their peoples and corresponds to the prevailing trends of the times. During the visit, they agreed to continue implementing the action plan to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership.
China is ready to import more high-quality Spanish goods and encourages Chinese companies to invest in Spain. The Spanish side, in turn, sees expanded cooperation in new energy sources, science, and technology as a factor of economic growth and greater resilience.
Madrid expressed readiness to jointly uphold international law and a multilateral approach to solving global problems. Both countries declared their intention to protect the international system under the auspices of the UN and to prevent any return to the “law of the jungle.” Spain is ready to play a constructive role in overcoming economic and trade disagreements between China and Europe.
What China is hoping for
Beijing views the Spanish prime minister’s visit to China as an opportunity to solve some of its structural problems and open new prospects. According to Xu Jingfu, the first Asian president of the Eurasian Department of the Madrid Bar Association, Spain, as one of Europe’s largest consumer markets with close ties to Latin America, opens a path for Chinese companies not only into Europe but also into the Spanish-speaking regions of Latin America. In particular, cross-border companies operating in e-commerce are increasingly choosing Spain as a springboard for expansion.
For China, which is facing growing geopolitical tensions and calls for “decoupling” from some European countries, Spain’s position is of particular value. Cooperation with Spain provides China with a unique combination of political, economic, and technological advantages. Politically, Beijing gains a partner advocating dialogue within the EU. Economically, it diversifies trade and obtains a platform for investment in Europe. In the technological sphere, it opens opportunities for innovation and joint scientific development. Thus, Spain is becoming one of China’s key partners in Europe, helping advance its strategic goals.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
