José Manuel Álvarez, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, met today with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Credit: externales.gob.es
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Álvarez met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Hangzhou today (15 October) to deepen bilateral ties and announce new diplomatic and educational initiatives between Spain and China.
New Spanish Embassy in China
During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to create a new structured intergovernmental meeting format to formalize bilateral cooperation at the highest level.
Álvarez confirmed that construction of the new Spanish embassy headquarters in Beijing, which will combine consular, administrative and diplomatic offices in a 10 million euro project, will begin in 2026.
“We agreed to further develop and formalize our bilateral relations through the creation of an intergovernmental level meeting,” Álvarez said, calling this a step towards raising Spain-China relations to the “highest level”.
The visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Spain and China, first signed in 2005.
Spanish companies seek access to Chinese market
Economic cooperation was the main focus of the conference. Mr Alvarez called on partners to ensure reciprocity and balance in trade and public procurement, particularly in areas such as agri-food, automobiles, renewable energy and pork exports.
After a roundtable with Spanish companies based in China, Alvarez reiterated the need for a “level playing field” in trade relations, in line with the EU’s efforts to promote fair competition with Beijing.
Alvarez’s visit also included the inauguration of Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute (BVPI), the first Spanish university campus in China to offer face-to-face classes. The institute is a joint project between Beihang University and Polytechnic University of Valencia and will offer programs from undergraduate to doctoral level and will accommodate approximately 2,000 students.
“This new campus is a milestone in the relationship between our two countries,” Alvarez said. “This is a pioneering project that brings together two traditions of academic excellence.”
US-China tensions
The trip comes amid heightened global trade tensions, with US President Donald Trump threatening to expel Spain for not meeting NATO’s proposed 5% defense spending target.
Speaking from China’s side, Alvarez defended Spain’s position, asserting that “Spain is a strong and reliable ally of NATO,” while insisting that its approach to China reflects a “global and pro-European foreign policy.”
The Chinese state newspaper described Spain’s approach as “pragmatic and stabilizing” in EU-China relations, according to El Pais.
For British and European nationals in Spain and Asia, greater bilateral cooperation could mean greater trade opportunities, educational links and consular support in China. The new embassy will also streamline services for Spanish nationals and businesses operating in the region.
In the run-up to King Felipe VI’s official visit to China in November, relations between Spain and China are expected to continue to strengthen.
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