【By Observer News, Qi Qian】

From Madrid to Chengdu and Beijing, the handshake between two ancient civilizations across Eurasia is writing a new paradigm that transcends group confrontation for how a multipolar world should operate.

"Good morning! Thank you very much." On the morning of November 11th, King Felipe VI of Spain showcased his Chinese skills at the opening of the China-Spain Business Forum in Chengdu. The forum had 180 Spanish companies and nearly 200 Chinese companies participating.

At the forum, Carlos Querpol, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprises of Spain, stated that "uncertainty" has become the new normal in the global situation, but China remains an "undoubtedly priority" for the Spanish government. He also spoke a few words of Chinese, which earned warm applause.

"A few words were enough to win the trust of the Chinese enterprise representatives present," wrote the Spanish media newspaper "El País".

On the 12th, the heads of state of the two countries jointly witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation documents in fields such as trade, science and technology, and education, with tangible results providing the most powerful footnote for this historic visit.

King Felipe VI of Spain speaking at an event in Chengdu, Spanish media

Invited by China, King Felipe VI began a four-day state visit to China on the 10th. A business official told the UK's Financial Times that the delegation led by the King included a large number of Spanish business leaders and representatives from industries such as automobiles, food, energy, and pharmaceuticals.

Several Spanish media outlets praised this visit. "El Mundo" quoted Chinese media reports stating that "one of the most surprising diplomatic moments of 2025 is definitely King Felipe VI's visit to China." "El País" mentioned that the trip aims to narrow the near 40 billion euro trade deficit with China.

While King Felipe VI made a high-profile visit to China, the trade tensions between China and the United States have been continuously escalating.

Media outlets such as the Financial Times and Reuters mentioned that despite pressure from the U.S. government, Spain still seeks to strengthen its economic ties with China. Just this April, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen threatened that Spain's closer relationship with China was "like cutting its own throat."

"Some European countries regard us as 'outliers'," noted "El Mundo," adding that the King's visit to China has drawn some doubts from certain European partners, but Spain still chose to rely on the King and Queen to conduct a 'charm offensive' to attract Chinese investors.

"In the context of Sino-U.S. strategic confrontation, the King's visit to China reaffirms Spain's long-standing political commitment to China," said a Spanish scholar working at a Chinese university. This aligns with Spain's policy of continuing to be China's "best friend" (mejor amigo) in Europe, and it also aligns with Spain's further goal of attracting more Chinese investment.

Jian Junbo, Director of the Center for Sino-European Relations at Fudan University and Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai European Society, told Observer that in the increasingly intense competition between China and the United States, the King's visit proves that there is undeniable economic interdependence between China and Europe. It also indicates that "Spain is taking practical actions to resist American trade protectionism."

Feng Zhongping, President of the China European Studies Association, told Observer that compared to other EU member states, Spain is more pragmatic and places greater emphasis on economic cooperation with China. He believes that the cooperation between China and Spain in economic and trade aspects can serve as a model for the EU and other European countries.

Jian Junbo also pointed out that this visit cannot change the overall tone of the EU's approach to China, but it will encourage other member states to follow suit. He mentioned that energy cooperation may be a new direction for Sino-Spanish economic exchange. Spain's power system has problems, and China has technical advantages and experience in the energy field.

"One of the most surprising diplomatic moments of 2025"

King Felipe is 57 years old and became King of Spain in 2014. He is fluent in English and French, and before entering higher education, he received military training at several military academies. Afterward, he studied law at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and obtained a bachelor's degree. Later, he furthered his studies at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and obtained a master's degree in international relations.

King Felipe married Queen Letizia Ortiz in 2004, and they have two daughters. The elder daughter, Princess Leonor, is currently the heir to the Spanish throne.

It is reported that this is not only the first time in 18 years that the King of Spain has visited China, but it also marks that Spain has achieved a "grand slam" in its visit to China within a year - after the head of government and the foreign minister, the head of state also arrived as scheduled. Xinhua said that this visit coincides with the historical milestone of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, and it will surely inject new momentum into the high-level development of bilateral relations.

On the 10th, King Felipe VI and Queen with the delegation arrived in Chengdu, Spanish media

"The visit is divided into two stages. The first stage does not start from Beijing as usually done in a state visit, but from Chengdu, which was previously agreed upon by both governments," reported "El Mundo" on the 9th. The reasons for choosing Chengdu include: Spain opened the latest consular office in Chengdu in 2022; Additionally, since April of this year, the multiple flights from Chengdu to Madrid operated by Sichuan Airlines show common interests between the two countries.

"One of the most surprising diplomatic moments of 2025 is definitely King Felipe VI's visit to China," "El Mundo" quoted Chinese media reports saying, while most European countries are showing loyalty to the United States, Spain has chosen China, "which is a great and wise decision." This proves that the Spanish government is more willing to invest in its own country rather than buy weapons from the United States.

Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that Spain is the fifth largest trading partner of China in the EU, and China is the largest trading partner of Spain outside the EU. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume reached 50.1 billion USD, an increase of 3.2%. Sino-Spanish trade is complementary, dynamic, and resilient. Among them, China's exports amounted to 40.8 billion USD, an increase of 2.9%, mainly including electromechanical products, vehicles and parts, clothing, chemicals, furniture, toys, etc.

Spanish newspapers "La Razón" and "El País" stated that in recent years, Spanish companies operating in China that have developed relatively steadily are mainly concentrated in the renewable energy, pharmaceutical and agricultural processing sectors. Spain's main export products include pork, copper, medicines, and plastics, while imported products include consumer electronics, cars, and machinery. Currently, Spain's trade deficit with China is nearly 40 billion euros.

"El Mundo" also mentioned that at the Valencia Port operated by Chinese enterprises, more cargo ships from China arrive every day, carrying mobile phones, chips, toys, mechanical parts, and textiles. However, the cargo ships heading to the world's largest port, Shanghai, are lighter, with containers mainly loaded with Spanish wine, olive oil, and pork products.

Querpol said before leaving that the trade deficit between China and Spain is quite large, so "our goal is to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy and business to achieve a more balanced relationship." He admitted: "We seek to increase exports and attract investments in Spain, drive local production chains, create jobs, and transfer technology to our companies."

Carlos Querpol (right center) meets enterprise representatives in Chengdu, Querpol X account

Spanish scholars: We continue to be China's best friend in Europe

On March 9, 1973, China and Spain established diplomatic relations. In November 2005, the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Spain have always adhered to mutual respect and equal dialogue, setting a model for friendly coexistence between countries with different cultures, histories, and social systems. In 2018, the two countries issued a joint statement on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, promoting the development of bilateral relations to a new level, bringing more benefits to the people of the two countries.

Xinhua said that although Beijing and Madrid are far apart, in the Chinese community in Europe, Spain is known as the "China of Europe." This closeness comes from too many similarities between the two countries - both have brilliant cultures, inclusive personalities, pragmatic styles, warm people, rich cuisines...

Reuters pointed out that King Felipe VI's state visit to China took place against the backdrop of the Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez visiting China three times within three years since his inauguration, reflecting Spain's attempt to rebalance the clearly biased trade relationship with China.

Certainly, China has actively responded to the friendly signals released by Spain.

Last December, the "2024 Congdu International Forum," hosted by the China Association for International Friendly Contact, the Australia-China Friendship Exchange Association, the Guangdong Provincial Government, and the World Leaders Alliance, was held in Madrid, the capital of Spain. This was the first time the forum was held outside of China, and it is equivalent to China's version of the Davos World Economic Forum or the Sun Valley Summit hosted by the American company Allen.

The warming relationship between China and Spain not only promotes pork trade but also brings substantial development benefits to the two countries.

Chinese companies such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), Envision Group, and Chery Automobile are currently investing in electric vehicle battery factories and car assembly plants in Spain. Envision Group and Hygreen have committed to building electrolyzer manufacturing plants in Spain, and three Chinese energy companies have signed agreements to invest in a potash mine in northeastern Spain.

Analysts say that Spain is also considered a hot candidate for BYD to build its third factory in Europe. BYD has already expanded its dealership network in Spain fourfold.

The Financial Times said that Spain is eager to attract investment from Chinese high-end manufacturers, especially in the electric vehicle sector, believing that Chinese technology is key to ensuring the future of Spanish industry. At the same time, Spain also hopes to export more products to China.

"From a political perspective, this visit reminds people of the King's visit to China in 1978, when China was undergoing economic reform and opening up," said Albert Lebrón, a scholar at the Institute of Political Economics at Peking University. He has lived in China since 2009.

Lebrón believes: "In the context of Sino-U.S. strategic confrontation, this visit reiterates Spain's longstanding political commitment to Beijing... Therefore, this is consistent with Spain's continued foreign policy of being China's best friend in Europe."

Lebrón expects Spain to deepen tourism cooperation with China. "The progress is smooth in our tourism exports to China... But it is necessary to strengthen cooperation in other industries, promote Chinese investment in Spain, and encourage employment and technology transfer. Maintaining trade balance is crucial."

On the 11th, King Felipe VI and his entourage visited a Chengdu enterprise, Querpol X account

"European partners say we're outsiders, but this is the best time"

Spanish media acknowledged that during the tense Sino-U.S. trade relations, developing relations with China would inevitably face doubts from some European partner countries. "Some European countries regard us as 'outsiders'."

However, "El Mundo" also noticed that the European Commission, which often makes strong statements against China, remained quiet this time.

"It is now clear that Brussels has changed its position, even softened it," the article published on the 11th mentioned, "after the European automotive industry faced choking restrictions due to chips and rare earths, the EU avoided direct confrontation with China. This means that facing the constraints from the United States and Asian countries, Europe is clearly in a weak position."

The Financial Times said that the left-wing government led by Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez is one of the most openly pro-China governments in Western Europe. U.S. President Trump once threatened to impose sanctions on Spain because Spain did not meet NATO defense spending targets and had differences on the Gaza issue. Beneset also threatened that Spain's closer relationship with China was "like cutting its own throat."

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed out: "When it comes to 'cutting the throat,' the U.S. has been using tariffs to threaten and extort the world, which is trying to choke the throats of all countries and force them to compromise and retreat in the face of its bullying." He emphasized that Sino-Spanish relations are an important part of Sino-European relations. "Just like the good relations between China and other countries, Sino-Spanish cooperation has always added momentum to the economies of the two countries, brought well-being to the people, and contributed to the stability and development of the world."

Alicia García Herrero, Senior Researcher at the Bruegel Institute in Belgium, believes that the left-wing government of Spain strengthens its relations with China as a strategic hedge against deteriorating relations with the United States.

Spanish officials also argued firmly, emphasizing that Sino-Spanish relations are at a "very high level." They said they have no choice but to establish relations with China, as the era of U.S. unipolar hegemony has ended, and Spain needs to maintain good relations with emerging powers.

"Asia is a region where Spain lacks historical presence (historical presence)," said Spanish Foreign Minister Alvarez to the Financial Times, "if you want to formulate a global foreign policy, you must talk to everyone, especially China and India." He also said that engaging with China does not mean distancing from the United States. "We have good dialogue with China, and we are also allied with the United States."

A Spanish businessman who has worked in China for many years insists that now is the best time to sign trade agreements and attract investors. The businessman said that Spain has never maintained such close diplomatic relations with China, nor has it ever maintained such smooth communication.

Charles Powell, Director of the Royal Elcano Institute in Spain, defended Spain's stance towards China. He pointed out that the various criticisms of China by European countries actually revealed deep divisions within their policies towards China. "In fact, everyone is breaking the rules. Spain... is neither the most conciliatory member nor one of the most confrontational members."

"Spain is taking practical actions to resist American trade protectionism"

"Now, we are facing major challenges in our relationships with the entire West, including Sino-European relations," Feng Zhongping told Observer, "in the past, Sino-European relations were mainly based on economic and trade. But in recent years, due to the development of China's strength, issues such as Sino-U.S. and Ukraine have influenced Europe's perception of China, and Sino-European relations have experienced many tests and challenges."

He frankly stated that, in fact, European countries must look at the U.S. policy towards China before deciding their own policy towards China.

Regarding King Felipe VI's visit to China, Feng Zhongping said that Spain adheres to the pragmatic principle towards China, representing a force within Europe that supports pragmatic approaches towards China. Compared to other European countries, Spain places greater emphasis on economic cooperation with China and firmly believes that Sino-Spanish cooperation can generate positive effects.

"I believe that Sino-Spanish economic and trade cooperation can serve as a model for the EU and other European countries," Feng Zhongping pointed out.

Jian Junbo said that as the competition between China and the United States intensifies, King Felipe VI's visit demonstrates the undeniable economic interdependence between China and Europe. If European countries implement trade protectionist policies, it will inevitably cause supply chain breakdowns, which does not conform to the reality of mutual economic dependence between the two sides, but will only harm both economies. This also indicates that American trade protectionism does not serve the fundamental interests of all countries and is not popular.

He believes that this will further promote Sino-Spanish relations, and at the same time, it will promote Sino-European trade and economic exchanges to some extent. "At the same time, this is also a practical action to resist American trade protectionism."

He further analyzed that a new direction for Sino-Spanish economic exchange may lie in energy cooperation, including new energy, power construction, and energy storage. In the energy field, there is a lot of room for cooperation between the two sides. In the first half of the year, Spain experienced a major power outage, which reflected that the power system in Spain has significant problems. While China has technological advantages and experience in the energy field.

At around 4:28 p.m. on April 28th, a large-scale power outage occurred in Spain and Portugal, causing traffic paralysis and communication interruptions, and people's lives fell into chaos. According to an Associated Press report, this power outage was one of the worst in Europe in recent years. Spain lost 60% of its national power supply within just 5 seconds.

"Spain is an important member of the EU. The economic and trade exchanges between China and Spain, to some extent, represent the development of Sino-EU economic and trade relations," Jian Junbo told Observer, "this also indicates that the EU finds it difficult to come up with a unified approach to China. Within the EU, each member state has its own interests and political value orientations towards China, and will therefore adopt policies that are more beneficial to themselves."

He finally pointed out that King Felipe VI's visit to China cannot change the overall tone of the EU's approach to China, but it will encourage other member states to follow suit, strengthen Sino-EU economic and trade exchanges, thereby weakening the intensity and strength of the so-called "de-risking" trend within the EU.

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