Spain and China mark fifty years of diplomatic ties this year. The Spanish ambassador, since March 9, 1973, Pedro Cortina, alongside the Chinese ambassador Huang Zhen, unveiled a fresh institutional phase in Paris, signaling a renewed Sino-Spanish dialogue. The partnership between the two nations has endured through mutual respect and a shared aim for development.
Over the decades, numerous high-level visits have fortified the relationship. The dialogue has remained fruitful, reaching a pivotal moment with the 2005 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement that deepened bilateral cooperation and set a clear course for the future.
Both nations express a steadfast will to broaden their ties and explore new synergies that can advance strategic sectors for mutual gain. To commemorate the enduring ties across diplomacy, economy, society, and culture, Prensa Ibérica and El Periódico de España, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Spain, organized a forum titled 50 years of history and a common future: China-Spain relations. The gathering took place at the Bertelsmann Space in Madrid and brought together close to a hundred distinguished figures connected to China.
In his remarks, Yao Jing, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Spain, highlighted the value of the historical friendship and affirmed China’s willingness to be a reliable partner for shared progress. He stated that both sides should shape their relations with a long-term, strategic horizon, strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation while safeguarding core interests tied to sovereignty, security, and development, all directed toward a stronger climate of friendship, trust, and cooperation. He emphasized that China is Spain’s largest trading partner outside the European Union and Spain is China’s fifth-largest trading partner within the EU, with a commitment to expanding Chinese investment in Spain and increasing imports of high-quality goods and services.
On cooperation, the ambassador noted that both countries support multilateralism and globalization, sharing common positions on climate action and resolving regional conflicts, including the situations in Palestine and Israel. He concluded by affirming that China seeks collaboration with all nations, including Spain, to build a peaceful, secure, prosperous, open, inclusive, and clean world.
Ainhoa Moll, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Prensa Ibérica, described the Spain-China relationship as intense and fluid over a long period and noted strong economic growth driven by Spanish investment in China. The Belt and Road Initiative was described as a fundamental element of Chinese foreign policy, prioritizing free trade and improved communication between China and Europe to foster global development. This perspective frames ongoing collaboration as essential to mutual prosperity.
At the event, the guest list featured notable figures such as artists, business leaders, and media professionals. The panel highlighted cultural exchange as a pillar of the bilateral partnership, with Spanish and Chinese cultural programs expanding and enriching both societies.
Accent on culture persisted as a central theme. The China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism showcased multidisciplinary artists, including the celebrated David Cata, who spent time in China studying its society, culture, and traditions. His reflections underscored the value of firsthand cultural immersion and the importance of dialogue between civilizations as a catalyst for lasting friendship.
Looking at outcomes, Marta Blanco, CEOE International’s president, stressed that there remains significant work ahead and that China is a strategic partner requiring sustained joint efforts by both public and private sectors. Miguel Sanz, general manager of the Spanish Institute for Tourism, Turespaña, hailed measures easing travel as positive signals that will boost people-to-people and business ties. He noted that China is now a central source of international tourism and that Spain benefits from Chinese visitors who spend generously, signaling a bright future for tourism collaboration.
Other voices emphasized the continuity of the partnership, with senior figures noting that more dialogue and cooperation across sectors will fortify commercial and cultural exchanges. The sense of a long-standing, evolving friendship was echoed by attendees who recalled fifty years of cooperation and the potential for future achievements.
On the anniversary, a message from King Felipe VI to Xi Jinping and a reply from the Chinese president acknowledged the steady, close relationship and the shared path forward toward deeper friendship and cooperation. A subsequent high-level visit by Spain’s government, led by Pedro Sánchez, to Beijing, reinforced these ties and highlighted a mutual willingness to renew and strengthen bilateral links in the changing global landscape. The 2005 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, later reinforced by Xi Jinping’s 2018 visit, continues to serve as a framework for collaboration across sectors and geographies, reflecting a shared vision for a stable, prosperous, and interconnected future.
In parallel with the diplomatic milestones, discussions underscored a practical agenda: expanding trade, encouraging investment, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges while safeguarding mutual respect and a sense of shared destiny. The anniversary thus acts not only as a reflection on past achievements but also as a blueprint for ongoing cooperation, adaptation, and growth that can benefit both nations and their citizens. The overall tone remains hopeful, with a clear sense that the next decades will build on a strong foundation and broaden the scope of collaboration across economics, culture, education, and technology. Attribution: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Spain; Prensa Ibérica; El Periódico de España; CEOE International; Turespaña; policy statements and official remarks from participating institutions.