China and Spain reaffirm their relationship. King Felipe VI and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks this Wednesday, underscoring the harmony between the two countries. The Chinese leader cited the history of diplomatic relations as “an example of friendly coexistence between countries with different histories, cultures and social systems.” The king then recalled how “strong relations” and “mutual trust” have been established since his first visit to China in 1978.
In his opening remarks at the face-to-face meeting, the most politically important event of his visit to the People’s Republic, the king said: “I believe that the friendly relations between Spain and China are definitely beneficial to the peoples of both countries and are consistent with our long history and global mission.”
The interview took place on the second day of the king’s official visit to China at the Great Hall of the People, a huge building reserved for high-level meetings located on one side of Tiananmen Square. The Chinese capital, Beijing, will be the second and final stop on the trip, after passing through Chengdu in southwest China on Tuesday. Throughout the day, the Kings will attend a gala dinner hosted by the organizers and a concert by the Orchestra of the Royal Spanish Theater at Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts.
After about an hour and a half, the meeting ended with the signing of 10 agreements and agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on the creation of a joint economic cooperation committee as a “single window” to urgently resolve the issue of Spanish companies’ access to the Chinese market and vice versa, a Spanish delegation official said.
Felipe VI stressed that his state visit, the first by a Spanish king in 18 years, “has a very important business and economic component” and provided an opportunity to “also focus on cooperation in the highest technology areas.” He recalled his first visit to China as crown prince in 2000 and acknowledged that “without a doubt, the progress and development (of the country) since that year has been very remarkable.”
Calling Xi a “good friend of the Chinese people,” Xi recalled the first visit of Juan Carlos I in 1978, when the country began its reform and opening-up policy, and acknowledged the two countries’ contributions to “global cooperation in the defense of open development and international equity and justice.”
Faced with a “complex and changing” international situation, the world needs “more constructive forces committed to peace and development,” the communist leader added. “China is willing to work with Spain to build a comprehensive strategic partnership with stronger national orientation, more dynamic development, and greater international influence, in order to make greater contributions to global prosperity, peace and development.”
The royal couple’s visit is part of a trajectory of increasing harmony between Beijing and Madrid, and joins President Pedro Sánchez’s three visits to China since 2023 and a recent investment boom by Asian giants that has earned Spain the disapproval of some European capitals in diplomatic circles.
The hoisting of the Spanish flag on Tiananmen this Wednesday is a sign of the understanding between the two countries. The Kings arrived at Dongmen in China’s Hongqi brand car on a pale day overshadowed by the haze of pollution that occasionally envelops Beijing. After a salute was given at the foot of the steps of the town’s Great Hall, a military band played the national anthem of both countries, and eight cannons fired a volley into the air.
The two leaders inspected the Chinese military and paraded alongside about 100 children who chanted “Huaning, Huaning, Reili, Huaning!” (Welcome, welcome, very welcome!) and waved bouquets of flowers and flags from both countries. Among the Chinese marches, the military band quickly performed the song in a paso doble atmosphere. seville, A work by Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz.
The 10 documents signed by both parties cover completely different topics. From language cooperation to deepen Spanish language education in China to cooperation with the Institute of Astrophysics in the Canary Islands and the Institute of Optical Astronomy Technology in Nanjing through agreements on film and audiovisual co-production. A protocol on aquaculture products has also been signed. Fish oil and meal for animal feed and food safety issues.
Temporary tariffs on European pork that the Chinese government imposed in September in retaliation for EU tariffs on electric vehicles have not been addressed, at least not publicly. Pork is one of Spain’s main exports to China, and the pork industry saw the official visit as an opportunity to pressure Beijing to review the tax before making a final decision in December.
The highly complex issue of access to the Chinese market is one of the most persistent demands from Spain and the EU. Although details have not been disclosed, it appears to be moving in that direction, with the announcement of a joint economic cooperation committee and the signing of its creation by Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Bodhi and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
After signing the petition, the king laid a wreath in front of the Monument to the People’s Heroes, a 38-meter-tall obelisk erected in the center of Tiananmen, commemorating the martyrs of the revolutionary struggle of the 19th and 20th centuries. To the north was Tiananmen, the access point to the Forbidden City, whose reddish walls were plastered with portraits of Mao Zedong. To the south is the mausoleum where the founder of the People’s Republic is embalmed.
During the signing of the agreement, Queen Letizia, together with First Lady Peng Liyuan, visited Huai Disability Center, the most advanced disability support facility at the provincial level in all of China. The complex combines state-of-the-art assistive technology with rehabilitation, education and social integration programs. This activity included a guided tour of part of the facility and a brief meeting with children, youth, and adults at the center.
Mr. Nishi Nishi is the founder of the association beginning of the novelfounded in 2014, specializes in the training and empowerment of people with physical disabilities. We hold craft workshops where you can create and sell your own creations, mainly crocheted accessories using eco-friendly materials. Cissy gave Leticia Ortiz a bouquet of flowers she had crocheted, explaining that her organization had helped more than 4,000 people. Xixi (her English name is Sissy, “empress-like”) told the queen a personal story. She studied English in Germany and lived there for several years. The day before she returned to China, she was involved in an accident that left her in a wheelchair. That trauma, he says, gave him a sense of purpose to help people with his condition.
Restrictions imposed by Chinese security authorities made it difficult for reporting on the entire event to unfold normally. In particular, three accredited Spanish media outlets, including this newspaper, were prevented from entering the room where the Queen and First Lady were exhibiting robotic advances, even though they had previously been able to do so.
A group of blind children performed song and smile Farewell to Queen Letizia is a happy and familiar theme taught in schools across the country. The lyrics speak of hope, friendship, and the joy of sharing, and have become a symbol of optimism for generations. After the Spanish delegation departed, Mr. Peng spoke with the children for a few more minutes. “This is of no interest to you,” Chinese protocol officials urged the journalists to leave.
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