Xi pitches closer ties to Spanish king

12/11/2025 16:03

China's President Xi Jinping told Spain's King Felipe on Wednesday that the world's second-largest economy seeks to work with Madrid to boost the global influence of both nations, as the heads of state met in Beijing ahead of a signing ceremony.



Felipe is the first Spanish monarch in 18 years to make a state visit to China, as Madrid leads the European Union in courting Beijing and seeks to expand its diplomatic footprint across the Asia-Pacific region.



China, for its part, is eager to move past trade tension with the 27-strong bloc over its heavily subsidised electric vehicles industry, as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs weigh on exports.



Last week China proposed the resumption of investment talks frozen since 2021.



China stands ready to work hand in hand with Spain to build a comprehensive strategic partnership," saying such ties would be more strategically steady, more dynamic, and more influential globally.



State broadcaster CCTV said Xi and Felipe attended a document signing ceremony after the talks, but gave no details.