Aerial views of the cityscape of Beijing, China (left) and Madrid, Spain Photos: VCG

Editor's Note: 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is on an official visit to China from Saturday to Wednesday, marking his fourth trip to the country within four years. Noting that China and Spain should seize opportunities and seek innovation-driven development, Chinese President Xi Jinping, when meeting with the visiting Spanish prime minister on Tuesday, said that the two countries should promote their comprehensive strategic partnership to yield more results and bring more benefits to their people. Meanwhile, Sánchez said that Spain supports Europe and China in enhancing communication, mutual understanding and cooperation. In an exclusive interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Wang Zixuan, Marta Montoro (Montoro), executive president of the Spanish Cátedra China Foundation, shared her insights on the significance of China-Spain interactions and the pragmatic shift in Europe's policy toward China.

GT: Some Spanish media outlets have described Sánchez's visit as "an unprecedented move by the Spanish government to approach China." How do you interpret this? What important signals does this visit send?

Montoro: The visit of Prime Minister Sánchez to China for the fourth time in four years should be understood within a framework of diplomatic normality between two friendly countries that maintain increasingly significant cooperation. In a global context characterized by uncertainty and major geopolitical transformations, it is essential that dialogue between the leaders of Spain and China remains fluid, constant, and based on mutual trust.

Such meetings send a clear signal of commitment from both sides to strengthen bilateral relations and continue developing economic, technological, and cultural projects that are mutually beneficial. Spain and China maintain a comprehensive strategic partnership, which reflects a shared willingness to consolidate cooperation in the long term and provide stability to the relationship.

GT: Spain highly values China's status as a major country, said Sánchez when meeting with President Xi on Tuesday. Some observers believe that Spain's stance toward China is the natural result of the economic complementarity between the two countries and reflects Spain's wisdom in achieving a geopolitical balance. What is your opinion on this? Could this approach serve as an example for other EU countries?

Montoro: Spain maintains an open and constructive attitude toward cooperation with China, both at the level of the central government and within regional and business spheres. There is growing awareness at various institutional levels that relations with China offer significant opportunities in terms of trade, investment, innovation, and industrial development.

In recent years, various regional political leaders have actively promoted relations with China from their respective territories. Regions such as Andalusia, Catalonia, and Aragon have developed initiatives to strengthen economic exchanges and business cooperation, fully aware of the potential of the Chinese market and the opportunities for bilateral investment.

The Spanish experience demonstrates that a commitment to dialogue, economic cooperation, and mutual understanding is the best way to build solid and sustainable international relations.

GT: Last November, Spain's Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo stated that "uncertainty" has become the new global normal, yet China remains an "undeniable priority" for Spain. Why has China become a priority amid this uncertainty, and what "certainties" has China provided?

Montoro: China represents a factor of stability and predictability in an increasingly complex international environment. One of the most distinctive characteristics of China's political and economic system is its capacity for long-term strategic planning. Five-year plans, modernization policies, and national development strategies are designed with a clear long-term vision and well-defined objectives.

This capacity for planning provides certainty to China's international partners. Companies and governments cooperating with China know they are working with a country that maintains a coherent strategic direction and fulfills its commitments.

Furthermore, China's governance model, led by the Communist Party of China, has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to promote economic development, improve people's well-being, and maintain social stability. The priority placed on development, poverty reduction, and national modernization has enabled China to become one of the principal engines of global growth.

For countries such as Spain, cooperating with a partner that offers stability, predictability, and strategic planning is particularly valuable at a time when many regions of the world are experiencing periods of political and economic volatility.

GT: Since the beginning of 2026, leaders from European countries such as Ireland, Finland, the UK and Germany have visited China in succession. The European Parliament also sent a delegation to China for the first time in eight years. Some observers believe this reflects a pragmatic shift in Europe's policy toward China. What do you think has motivated these visits? 

Montoro: We consider it very positive that European policy toward China is evolving toward a more pragmatic and cooperation-oriented approach. In a world that is increasingly complex and interdependent, multilateralism and dialogue among major international actors are more necessary than ever to preserve global stability.

China is currently the world's second-largest economy and a key actor in areas such as technological innovation, energy transition, climate change mitigation, and global economic governance. Ignoring this reality would be a strategic mistake.

The recent visits by European leaders to China reflect a growing understanding that cooperation with China is indispensable for addressing the major challenges of the 21st century. In fields such as science, technology, ecological transition, and international trade, Europe and China have broad areas for collaboration.

GT: The US has repeatedly criticized European NATO members for not supporting US military actions against Iran and has even suggested a possible withdrawal from NATO. How do you evaluate some European countries' choice of "Looking Eastward" amid pressure from the US? What role can China and Spain play to build an equitable and just world order? 

Montoro: The relationship between Europe and the US is historic and will continue to be an important element of the international security architecture. However, it is also evident that the EU must progressively advance toward greater strategic autonomy in order to act with greater independence on the global stage.

In this context, one of the most urgent challenges for international stability is the pacification of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Europe must play an active role in the search for diplomatic solutions that allow for a lasting ceasefire and the opening of a negotiation process capable of guaranteeing security and stability across the European continent. Peace in Ukraine is an essential condition for global stability and for Europe's economic development.

At the same time, Europe must strengthen its relations with other major global actors and firmly support multilateralism. China is a fundamental partner in advancing toward a more balanced international system based on dialogue, cooperation, and shared development.

Spain can play an important role as a bridge between Europe and China, promoting initiatives of economic, technological, and cultural cooperation that contribute to mutual understanding. Diversifying international relations should not be understood as a confrontation with any traditional partner, but rather as a strategy aimed at building a more stable, balanced, and cooperative international order.