Overview
- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia concluded the first state visit of the reign with ten accords spanning commerce, science, technology and education after stops in Chengdu and Beijing.
- Chinese state media, led by Global Times, cast Spain as a pragmatic partner and example for Europe, highlighting a contrast with the EU’s unsettled China approach.
- CCTV said the King affirmed Spain’s adherence to the one‑China principle in private, a claim absent from his public speeches and questioned in Spanish coverage.
- Economic ties dominated the trip, with bilateral trade near €53 billion in 2024 and a sizable Spanish deficit, as references to projects by Huawei, CATL and Chery underlined investment links.
- Spain coupled engagement with a restrained human‑rights message in the King’s final address to Spanish citizens, extended an invitation for Xi Jinping to visit, and prompted unease among some EU officials.