Overview
- China’s foreign ministry announced the visit, the first by a Spanish monarch in 18 years.
- Spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing seeks to leverage the trip to expand cooperation and strengthen the strategic partnership.
- Spain is courting Chinese capital with projects that include CATL battery and Envision renewable‑energy factories.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has visited China three times in three years, including a 2024 trip where he reversed support for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
- The outreach comes as the EU stays cautious toward Beijing and after President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed a one‑year trade and technology deal in South Korea last week.