Visit highlights resilient, dynamic and forward-looking China-Spain partnership: China Daily editorial

Welcoming King Felipe VI of Spain to China on Wednesday, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, President Xi Jinping hailed the outstanding contributions made by the Spanish royal family to the development of China-Spain relations.

The meeting underscored a forward-looking message that China is willing to work with Spain to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic partnership with greater international influence.

To that end, both sides should consolidate their mutual support, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic guidance, and ensure that bilateral relations always stay on the right track.

China cherishes its traditional friendship with Spain and values Spain's unique role in international and regional affairs. King Felipe VI's visit holds great significance in driving the continuous advancement of friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Both China and Spain are countries with rich historical and cultural legacies. Over the past five decades, the two countries have demonstrated that nations with different histories, social systems and cultural traditions can engage with each other on an equal footing for mutual benefit. From trade and investment to cultural exchanges and multilateral coordination, China and Spain have set a good example of friendly coexistence and common development.

That shows how the bilateral relationship has evolved into a partnership of strategic depth. China values Spain's distinctive role as a key European nation and a bridge linking China with Europe and Latin America. And both sides have consistently upheld multilateralism, fairness and justice, and shared a vision of a more open and equitable global system.

China is ready to import more high-quality Spanish products and expand cooperation in emerging sectors such as new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence. These areas align closely with Spain's industrial transformation goals and its active pursuit of sustainable growth. China's vast consumer market and economic upgrading will, in turn, provide new opportunities for Spanish enterprises.

Moreover, the two sides agreed to broaden investment exchanges and jointly explore third-party markets such as Latin America — where Spain enjoys deep historical and linguistic ties. Such cooperation demonstrates how China and Europe can complement each other globally rather than engaging in zero-sum competition. Both sides also pledged to enhance collaboration in culture, education and people-to-people exchanges. China's continued visa-free policy for Spain will further facilitate these interactions.

The Spanish king's visit has sent a strong signal of mutual confidence and political goodwill. As the first Spanish monarch to visit China in 18 years, his visit represents not only symbolic continuity but also a renewed political will to advance the Sino-Spanish partnership. The Spanish monarch emphasized to his host that the friendship between China and Spain benefits both peoples and reflects the two countries' global outlook.

Spain's engagement with China underlines the pragmatic and forward-looking nature of their relations. While differences exist within Europe regarding approaches to China, Madrid has chosen constructive engagement — recognizing that collaboration in fields such as the green transition, infrastructure, high-speed rail and digital innovation brings tangible benefits to both sides. Indeed, China has become a key destination for Spanish exports, particularly agricultural and food products, while Spanish companies continue to participate in China's fast-evolving new energy and technology markets.

The two countries' alignment on global governance issues also adds strategic value to their partnership. Both countries support the United Nations-centered international order and oppose protectionism and unilateralism. Both have expressed their willingness to strengthen dialogue and coordination to jointly promote a more balanced and sustainable global economic framework and address pressing global challenges such as climate change, energy security and regional peace.

At a time when certain forces are attempting to politicize trade and fragment global supply chains, China and Spain's commitment to openness and multilateral cooperation is a stabilizing force. The world needs more such constructive forces dedicated to peace and development. Their partnership embodies the spirit of mutual respect and win-win development, which has long been at the heart of China's diplomacy with Europe.