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Spain's King Felipe VI Begins State Visit to China With Chengdu Stop Before Xi Meeting

Madrid pursues deeper ties through a business‑first itinerary to rebalance trade on the partnership’s 20th anniversary.

Overview

  • The royal couple departed Madrid for Chengdu to open a business forum before an official welcome in Beijing and meetings with Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and NPC Standing Committee chief Zhao Leji.
  • Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo accompany the trip alongside a large business delegation focused on investment, technology cooperation and market access.
  • China’s foreign ministry and state media have praised the visit, with official commentary portraying Spain as moving closer to Beijing.
  • Diplomatic and expert sources report plans for a new structured mechanism to sustain political and economic dialogue, though final details have not been announced.
  • Spanish officials say human rights will be addressed through the EUChina dialogue, as the outreach follows earlier high‑level contacts that prompted friction with Washington.