Foreign Minister Albares strengthens bilateral ties with China

Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Hangzhou today (October 15) to deepen bilateral relations and announce new diplomatic and educational initiatives between Spain and China.

New Spanish Embassy in China

Both leaders agreed, during the meeting, to create a new format of intergovernmental meetings that would formalise bilateral co-operation at the highest levels.

Albares confirmed the construction of a new Spanish Embassy headquarters in Beijing will begin in 2026, bringing together consular, administrative, and diplomatic offices in a €10 million project.

“We have agreed to develop and formalise our relations even further through the creation of an intergovernmental-level meeting,” Albares said, calling it a step that elevates Spain–China ties to “the highest level.”

The visit coincides in the 20th Anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Spain China signed first in 2005.

Spanish companies seeking access to Chinese markets

The focus of this meeting was on economic co-operation. Albares asked his counterpart to maintain balance and reciprocity in the trade and public procurements, especially in sectors like agri-foods, renewable energy and pork exports.

Albares, following a roundtable discussion with Spanish companies in China, reiterated the importance of “level playing fields” in commercial relations, aligning himself with EU efforts to encourage fair competition with Beijing.

Albares visited China to inaugurate the Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute. This is the first Spanish university campus in China that offers in-person education. The joint project of Beihang University with the Polytechnic University of Valencia will house around 2,000 students and offer undergraduate and doctoral programmes.

Albares said that the new campus marked a landmark in the relationship between our countries. It is a groundbreaking project that brings together two traditions of academic excellence.

US–China tensions

The visit comes in the midst of increased global trade tensions. US president Donald Trump threatens to expel Spain because it has not met NATO’s proposed target of 5 per cent defense spending.

Albares defended Spain from China. He said that Spain is a reliable and solid NATO ally, and that the country’s outreach to China reflects its “global pro-European” foreign policy.

According to El País, the Chinese state press described Spain’s approach as “pragmatic and stabilising” within the EU–China relationship.

Stronger bilateral cooperation can mean more opportunities for British and European expats to trade in Spain, Asia and China, as well as education and consular support. The new embassy also aims to streamline services provided by Spanish companies and citizens in the region.

Spanish–Chinese relations are expected to continue strengthening ahead of King Felipe VI’s official visit to China in November.

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