18 years after his last visit to China, the king of this EU country is taking an unconventional route. His first stop was not Beijing or Shanghai, but a western city. The strategic considerations behind this move are quite significant.

King and Queen of Spain visit China

Recently, King Felipe VI of Spain and his queen arrived in China for a visit. This visit marks the first time a Spanish king has visited China in nearly 20 years, and it is also the first visit by King Felipe VI since he ascended the throne. Normally, such an important visit would start in Beijing or Shanghai, but the King and Queen chose Chengdu as their first destination.

Choosing a western Chinese city as the first stop is unusual, and the reason for selecting Chengdu has deep significance. In the current context of tense relations between China and the EU, this move by the Spanish king sends out rich diplomatic signals to the world.

The Queen of Spain visits the Wangjiang Tower

The first reason for choosing Chengdu is its strong practical strength. In 2022, the Consulate General of Spain in Chengdu was opened, becoming the latest consular institution of Spain in China. This reflects the growing demand for exchanges between Sichuan and Spain. More importantly, the direct flight from Chengdu to Madrid, which opened in April this year, reduces the travel time to 13 hours, equivalent to "departing in the morning and arriving in the evening." The king specifically visited the Civil Aviation Southwest Air Traffic Management Bureau, showing his recognition of this air hub.

Additionally, trade data confirm the great potential of cooperation between Chengdu and Spain. From Spain's olive oil and wine to Chengdu's electronic components and new energy products, the booming two-way trade has made Chengdu the "bridgehead" for Spain to enter China. The trade volume between Sichuan and Spain has rapidly increased, surpassing many EU countries.

King Felipe VI of Spain attends the "China-Spain Business Forum" in Chengdu

It is worth mentioning that Chengdu has established "friendship cities" with multiple Spanish cities, and the interactions are close. To put it bluntly, the king's first visit to Chengdu is a signal to China to deepen cooperation, and at the same time, it is also a demonstration to the EU and the world that cooperation with China has achieved real mutual benefits.

Spain, as a member of the EU and NATO, has shown a certain degree of independent autonomy in developing relations with China under the current complex international situation, making it somewhat "unconventional" among Western countries. In military terms, Spain is the only NATO member state that publicly refused Trump's defense spending goals, and it is also the first major European country to officially recognize the State of Palestine.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-EU relations. The EU's attitude towards China is complex: they want to cooperate but have concerns. While some EU member states, under the influence of the United States, have pushed for so-called "de-risking" of economic relations with China and limited Chinese investments and exports, Spain has consistently maintained a pragmatic approach to cooperation with China.

Prime Minister of Spain, Sanchez

There is a difference in attitudes towards China within the EU. Eastern Europe relies on the Chinese market, while Western Europe is concerned about "competition." Spain's approach offers a compromise. By choosing Chengdu as the first stop, the king sends a signal that "cooperation knows no boundaries." What seems accidental is actually inevitable. For both China and the EU, this is a "new model" for resolving differences and deepening practical cooperation.

In the current turbulent international situation, Spain's emphasis on visiting China every 18 years and the sincerity of choosing Chengdu as the first stop prove that cooperation is the hard truth. The rise of Chengdu also tells the world that China's openness is not a "monologue" of coastal cities; inland western regions can also become "leading roles" in international cooperation. And the king's visit provides valuable experience for Sino-EU cooperation.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7571741234654429734/

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