This is the first time in 18 years that the monarchs of that European nation have made a state visit to China, which also comes amid a bilateral rapprochement preceded by three visits since 2023 by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

In fact, Xi Jinping and King Felipe VI also attended a ceremony to sign cooperation agreements, in line with the monarch’s commitment to developing “strategic alliances” in high value-added sectors such as automotive, technological innovation, and green energy.

Felipe VI began his visit in Sichuan province and inaugurated the Business Forum between the two countries, held the previous day in Chengdu.

“Spain, together with the European Union, maintains its firm commitment to an international system based on clear rules, transparency, and respect for the law,” the monarch stated during a speech in which he also advocated for strengthening trade and investment ties.

According to official data, around 400 Spanish companies have a presence in China, and almost 300 from the Asian giant are in Spain; however, Beijing’s accumulated investment in the European country is greater in volume.

The growing dialogue between the two nations is not well received by the United States, which is the European Union’s largest trading partner.

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