Spain is experiencing a surge in bilateral relations with China, marked by cultural celebrations and significant economic investment. Shanghai was recently honored as the city of guest at Barcelona’s La Merce festival, featuring performances that blended Chinese and Catalan traditions. Vice Mayor Lu Shan attended the opening ceremony, symbolizing the warming relationship between the two nations.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has visited China’s leadership multiple times in recent years and has advocated for improved EU-China relations. However, this approach has generated friction with other European member states. Germany and France have moved toward a more confrontational stance on China, seeking to restrict subsidized Chinese competitors in EU markets due to what the European Commission describes as substantial trade imbalances. Concerns also center on China’s alleged economic and technological support for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
Spain’s outreach to Beijing reflects broader EU fragmentation as member states pursue distinct strategic interests amid global uncertainty and shifting US policy under President Trump. Chinese investment in Spain has accelerated significantly, particularly in battery manufacturing and automotive production. Major projects include Chery Automobile’s European manufacturing hub, Hithium’s battery facilities in Navarra, and CATL’s lithium iron phosphate factory in Zaragoza. A major freight rail corridor connecting Yiwu in China to Madrid demonstrates the expanding commercial infrastructure between the nations.
Public opinion in Spain has shifted notably toward China. A Pew Research Center survey indicated that 54% of Spaniards held favorable views of China compared to 30% regarding the United States. Observers attribute this partly to perceived American unpredictability regarding trade policy and defense spending demands. Meanwhile, Chinese companies are characterized as offering more accessible business conditions than American counterparts.
Critics warn that Chinese industrial presence on Spanish soil could weaken EU market integration and undermine collective European interests. The divergence in approach between Spain and other major EU powers raises questions about whether such bilateral alignments will contribute to lasting divisions within the bloc and NATO structures.
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