Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s five-day official visit to the Chinese mainland, which began on April 11, 2026, underscores a strategic push to deepen economic and diplomatic collaboration between China and Europe. This marks Sánchez’s fourth visit to China during his tenure, following King Felipe VI’s landmark trip to Beijing in November 2025—the first by a Spanish monarch in nearly two decades.
Bilateral trade between China and Spain has surged from $7.2 billion in 2004 to over $55 billion in 2025, cementing China as Spain’s largest non-EU trading partner. Key agreements, including the Bilateral Investment Treaty and Double Tax Avoidance Agreement, have fueled this growth. Chinese direct investment in Spain skyrocketed by 331% year-on-year in 2025, reaching €643 million, with projects like CATL and Stellantis’s €4.1 billion battery plant in Zaragoza highlighting industrial synergies.
Spain’s investments in the Chinese mainland remain robust, focusing on high-end manufacturing and services. Companies like Gestamp and Santander Bank have integrated deeply into local supply chains. Meanwhile, tourism is thriving: nearly 800,000 Chinese tourists visited Spain last year, while China’s visa-free policy for Spanish citizens has spurred reciprocal travel.
Analysts view Sánchez’s visit as a catalyst for broader China-Europe cooperation, particularly in green energy and technology. The trip is expected to yield new agreements aimed at balancing trade and expanding market access, reinforcing Spain’s role as a bridge between Beijing and Brussels.
