Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on April 14, 2026, that Spain and China have signed 19 agreements, including a Strategic Diplomatic Dialogue Mechanism, to strengthen economic, cultural, and scientific-technological cooperation. The mechanism, to be led by foreign ministers, will provide regular high-level dialogue, bringing Spain in line with France and Germany. Sánchez emphasized that Chinese investments in Spain should be accompanied by technology transfer, integration into local value chains, and job creation.
The agreements include protocols expanding Spanish agro-food exports, such as pistachios, dried figs, pork proteins, and fertilizers, as well as protections for geographical indications and sanitary cooperation on avian flu. A memorandum of understanding on sustainable transport and infrastructure was also signed. In education and culture, Spain and China agreed to develop joint university campuses and collaborate between the National Archaeological Museum and the National Museum of China, alongside a forestry and biodiversity cooperation accord.
Sánchez arrived in Beijing on April 13, 2026, for a state visit, during which he received an honorary professorship from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and spoke at Tsinghua University, calling for renewed EU-China cooperation. On the same day, he visited Xiaomi's campus and met founder Lei Jun. The visit comes amid ongoing EU-China trade tensions, including EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and export controls on sensitive technologies. The EEAS also on April 13 called on China to respect the rights of released lawyer Yu Wensheng, highlighting human rights concerns. Sánchez's agreements signal a push for deeper bilateral ties, balancing economic interests with broader EU strategic autonomy discussions.
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