It is well known that Sino-Spanish relations are by no means marginal, but the question of their deepening and improvement is a question of margin, that is, how much leeway each of the parties, especially the Spanish, has to advance bilateral relations.
Economically, in recent years, relations have continued to advance, with the issue of the trade deficit still to be resolved. China can do more to moderate it, but, above all, Spain must do more, and in this case it must demonstrate that it has industrial and technological capabilities that could attract Chinese interest. We have always been behind other economies in our environment and that is difficult to correct. It seems more a structural issue than a matter of will.
Politically, Spain is a source of good vibes in China. Madrid has always been seen as a tension-reliever. There is a capital in this that produces important income but that needs to be updated. This is not easy in the current context when Sino-Western squabbles are rampant on various fronts. The Atlantic and Western solidarity to which Spain owes itself significantly limits the scope of bilateral relations. We saw this with Huawei’s 5G or with the refusal to join the Belt and Road Initiative, which, in other geopolitical circumstances, would probably not pose a major problem.
How much can both sides take away from the current, rarefied climate to improve relations? Spain wants investment and trade. Technology, climate change, infrastructure, etc., are areas of certain ambition compared to the traditional ones, which are highly dependent on agri-food, tourism, etc. All is well, but the challenge is to go up a few steps by improving the balance. Bilateral trade has grown, from $37.9 billion in 2020 to $48.6 billion in 2023, an increase of 28.23 percent, according to the China Chamber of International Commerce. That same year, Spain’s coverage rate with China was only 17.1%.
Sánchez’s visit to China was preceded by that of the Andalusian president Moreno Bonilla, responding to nothing less than an invitation from the International Department of the Central Committee of the CCP. The Andalusian president has praised China’s transformations and opening, its competitiveness and progress, and is confident that relations will improve generously. Andalusia is interested in more exchanges and investments. This perception is certainly shared by the different autonomous communities. These could well have more room than the central government to improve economic ties since, politically, fears may reside in Moncloa. This differentiation of roles, which could be implemented naturally, would improve with a political agreement that, however, in the current dynamic of tension between the PSOE and the PP has little room to move. In any case, they would need a solid strategy that they lack. We are still stuck with little more than an anecdote.
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, on a visit to China, has established himself in recent years as a progressive leader of reference in Europe. And Spain, after having overcome the delicate moments of recent times, is also affirming the potential of its economy, currently one of the most dynamic in the Old Continent. This background, despite the internal political vicissitudes, greatly conditioned by the double fact of polarization and the territorial dispute, gives Sánchez a leading role and substantial added value in the complex moment that Sino-European relations are going through. When he offers himself as an interlocutor, people in China believe him.
Spain is not a problem for China. Neither is China for Spain. But both sides have limits when it comes to building a bubble impermeable to external tension. Spain, for example, has shown a certain autonomy in its position regarding the war in Gaza. It is difficult for it to do the same in relation to China without receiving a slap on the wrist from Washington. That is how it gave the impression during its previous visit in 2023 when it flirted with and then distanced itself from the Chinese proposal to end the war in Ukraine. That lesson has been learned in Moncloa.
There is an opportunity to extend and explore the margins, appealing to the constructive nature of communication, involving more actors, as is now being done with the business community in this visit, but extending the spaces for dialogue so that the necessary flows emerge that support this trend that points to commitment. The more the bilateral relationship stabilises, the less likely it will go awry and the greater the capital for expansion in the European sphere.
In 2025, Spain and China will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit can help to arrive at it with some homework done.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The Future of Sino-Spanish Relations: Opportunities and Limitations
Sino-Spanish relations have been evolving over the years, with a mix of opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed to deepen and improve bilateral ties. Economically, relations have continued to advance, with a growing trade deficit that still needs to be resolved. Politically, Spain is seen as a source of good vibes in China, with Madrid being viewed as a tension-reliever. However, the current context of Sino-Western squabbles on various fronts limits the scope of bilateral relations.
Economic Relations: Room for Improvement
In recent years, bilateral trade has grown significantly, from $37.9 billion in 2020 to $48.6 billion in 2023, an increase of 28.23 percent, according to the China Chamber of International Commerce [[3]]. However, Spain’s coverage rate with China remains low, at only 17.1%. To improve the balance, Spain needs to demonstrate its industrial and technological capabilities that could attract Chinese interest. This requires more effort from Spain to showcase its strengths and capabilities in areas such as technology, climate change, and infrastructure.
Political Relations: Building Trust
Politically, Spain has been a source of good vibes in China, with Madrid being seen as a tension-reliever. However, the current context of Sino-Western squabbles limits the scope of bilateral relations. Spain’s relationship with the European Union and the United States also affects its ability to build a bubble impermeable to external tension. Despite this, there is an opportunity to extend and explore the margins, appealing to the constructive nature of communication.
Regional Cooperation: A Way Forward
Regional cooperation could be a way forward in improving economic ties between Spain and China. The autonomous communities in Spain, such as Andalusia, have shown interest in more exchanges and investments with China. This differentiation of roles, which could be implemented naturally, would improve with a political agreement. However, this requires a solid strategy that is currently lacking.
Historical Context: A Long-Standing Relationship
The Sino-Spanish Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1929 marked the beginning of a new era in diplomatic relations between the two countries [[2]]. Since then, relations have evolved, with both countries enjoying smooth progress in trade relations and two-way investment growing steadily [[3]].
Leadership and Diplomacy: A Key to Success
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez has established himself as a progressive leader of reference in Europe, with Spain affirming its economic potential in the Old Continent. His leadership and diplomacy could play a key role in improving Sino-Spanish relations. China has also shown interest in improving relations, with the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China inviting the Andalusian president, Moreno Bonilla, to visit China.
Conclusion: Opportunities and Challenges
Sino-Spanish relations have opportunities for improvement, but also face challenges that need to be addressed. Economically, Spain needs to demonstrate its industrial and technological capabilities to attract Chinese interest. Politically, Spain needs to build trust with China and navigate the complexities of Sino-Western relations. Regional cooperation and leadership diplomacy could be key to success. As both countries look to deepen and improve bilateral ties, they must be aware of their limitations and work together to build a stronger relationship.
References:
<a href="https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/gjhdq665435/3265665445/3356_664772/”>[3]
Foreign relations of Spain
Deepening Sino-Spanish Relations: Exploring the Margins for Improvement
As Sino-Spanish relations continue to evolve, the question of their deepening and improvement remains a pressing concern. While relations between the two nations are by no means marginal, the challenge lies in identifying the leeway each party has to advance bilateral relations. In recent years, economic relations have continued to advance, with the issue of the trade deficit still to be resolved. China can do more to moderate the deficit, but Spain must also demonstrate its industrial and technological capabilities to attract Chinese interest [[3]].
Politically, Spain is seen as a source of good vibes in China, with Madrid being viewed as a tension-reliever [[2]]. However, the current context of Sino-Western squabbles on various fronts limits the scope of bilateral relations. The Atlantic and Western solidarity to which Spain owes itself significantly restricts the room for maneuver in bilateral relations. This was evident in the case of Huawei’s 5G or the refusal to join the Belt and Road Initiative [[2]].
Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for improvement. Spain wants investment and trade, with areas such as technology, climate change, and infrastructure offering scope for ambition compared to traditional sectors like agri-food and tourism [[3]]. Bilateral trade has grown significantly, with a 28.23% increase from $37.9 billion in 2020 to $48.6 billion in 2023, according to the China Chamber of International Commerce [[3]].
The recent visit of Spanish President Pedro Sánchez to China highlights the potential for deeper relations. Sánchez has established himself as a progressive leader of reference in Europe, and Spain’s economy is currently one of the most dynamic in the Old Continent [[3]]. This background gives Sánchez a leading role and substantial added value in the complex moment of Sino-European relations.
The role of autonomous communities, such as Andalusia, cannot be overstated. They have more room to improve economic ties than the central government, which is often limited by political fears [[3]]. A solid strategy is needed to capitalize on this potential, but currently, there is a lack of direction.
Looking ahead, Spain and China will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership in 2025 [[2]]. This milestone presents an opportunity to extend and explore the margins of bilateral relations, appealing to the constructive nature of communication and involving more actors. By stabilizing the bilateral relationship, the likelihood of it going awry decreases, and the capital for expansion in the European sphere increases.
while there are challenges to deepening Sino-Spanish relations, there are also opportunities for improvement. By capitalizing on the margins of bilateral relations, Spain and China can strengthen their partnership and create a more stable and prosperous relationship. As Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, stated during his visit to Spain in 2018, Sino-Spanish relations are facing new opportunities for development [[3]]. It is up to both parties to seize these opportunities and take their relations to the next level.
References:
[1] Limahong’s Pirates, Ming Mariners, and Early Sino– … di JT Shutz · 2019 · Citato da 9
[2] Keeping Sino-Spanish relations on even keel serves …
[3] Xi: China-Spain relations facing new opportunities for …
