Spain and China agree to facilitate the export of Spanish products and strengthen cooperation in science, education and culture

Beijing (China)

The President of the Government of Spain greets President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo)

Spain and China have reached seven agreements aimed at facilitating the sale of various Spanish food, health and cosmetic products to China, as well as increasing collaboration between the two countries in areas such as culture, science and education. The announcement was made by the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, in Beijing, during the last day of his Asian tour, after meeting with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.

In his meeting with President Xi, Pedro Sánchez highlighted the ties that unite the two countries, as well as China's long-standing relationship with the European Union. "In 2025, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain. A partnership that we have been deepening over the years, and to which we are giving a new impetus today," said the President after the meeting. "Spain is a deeply pro-European country that sees China as a partner of the European Union. Spain will always work to promote solid and balanced relations, including economic and trade relations, in which dialogue, reciprocity and harmony prevail.

The President of the Government of Spain also had the opportunity to discuss with President Xi issues such as the defence of the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its centre, respect for international law, as well as the search for a just and lasting peace in contexts where this is clearly being violated.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China hold talks during their meeting | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Pedro Sánchez has also met with China's Premier Li Qiang. In the framework of this meeting, the two countries adopted a new Action Plan to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the year of its 20th anniversary. The Plan highlights four main areas of work: economy, trade and investment; agriculture and fisheries; science and technology, innovation and green development; and exchanges between societies: culture, education, sports and tourism. After this meeting, the President of the Government of Spain and the Chinese Premier attended the signing of the seven agreements.

Trade and cooperation agreements

Three of the agreements fall within one of the key objectives of this visit, to strengthen and balance the economic and trade relationship: "We have always been committed to open trade and to making the most of our exchanges. That is why we will continue to advocate a more balanced economic relationship and the promotion of reciprocal investments for mutual benefit," explained Pedro Sánchez.

In this regard, two of the agreements facilitate the sale in China of Spanish food products that are particularly appreciated in the Asian country: pork and cherries. In the case of pork - Spain's main agri-food export to China, worth 571 million euros in 2024 - the list of authorised by-products exported from our country has been extended, a historical request from the sector. In the case of cherries, they are included for the first time in the list of exportable products. "With these protocols, the possibilities for these products to access the Chinese market are expanded, and there are now 10 agri-food protocols that we have agreed with China since June 2018. We are also committed to continue working to open up the Chinese market to more quality Spanish products," the President stressed.

Another agreement creates a bilateral working group on medical devices, medicines and cosmetics to promote balanced and reciprocal market access. "This is a sector that more than two years ago, during my first trip to Beijing, told me about the difficulties it was encountering in doing business in China," recalled Pedro Sánchez. "Well, after all these months of work, we are confident that, with this agreement that we have signed today, these difficulties will be overcome."

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during their meeting in Beijing | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The other four agreements reached today are part of another of the objectives of the visit, to maintain the political momentum in the bilateral relationship between Spain and China. Two of them deepen the scientific cooperation of two institutions -CDTI and the Synchrotron Light Laboratory - with their Chinese counterparts, another one increases practical cooperation in education (with exchanges of students and professionals and collaboration in digitisation and promotion of the study of the respective official languages) and the last one establishes the reinforcement of cinematographic cooperation, including the implementation of joint projects and the organisation of specialised events and festivals.

Meeting with companies

On Friday, the President of the Government of Spain also held a meeting with representatives of a dozen large Chinese companies that are present in the Spanish market or are considering investing in it in the automotive, battery and renewable energy sectors. "Sectors with high added value and aligned with our priorities, which see Spain as an attractive place to invest. We want productive investments that generate added value in our territory and qualified quality employment, in order to strengthen the competitiveness of both countries," the President stressed.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, speaks with Chinese business leaders during the meeting | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

At the meeting, the President of the Government of Spain was interested in the development and innovation proposals of the companies in attendance and invited them not only to invest in Spain, but also to consider our country as a base for their international expansion.

In addition, the President of the Government of Spain held bilateral meetings with the presidents of Chery and Leapmotor and the CEO of Envision at the request of these companies.

Strengthening relations

The President of the Government of Spain gave a positive assessment of the trip, which concludes this Friday, stressing the importance of improving Spain's relations with the countries visited: "The main objective of this tour was to reinforce Spain's presence in Asia, an objective that we have more than achieved. Asia is a continent that is becoming increasingly important at a time of profound change on the global stage. China is already the world's second largest economy, and Vietnam is becoming increasingly important in the region".

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, greets Prime Minister Li Qiang of the People's Republic of China | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

"Spain is aware that we are living through a complex moment in international relations. It is a time to expand horizons and redouble efforts to preserve peace, openness and progress in the fight against major global challenges. With this trip to Vietnam and China, we have taken a very important step in this direction, strengthening our relations with these two countries," concluded Pedro Sánchez.

Non official translation