Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will travel to China from April 13 to 15 for an official visit, his office announced on Monday, according to AFP, without providing further details of his schedule. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian declined to confirm the visit while noting that China-Spain relations, as comprehensive strategic partners, have maintained sound momentum in recent years.
If the trip goes ahead, it will be Sanchez’s fourth visit to China in four consecutive years, following trips in April 2025, September 2024, and March 2023. Spain’s King Felipe VI also paid a state visit to China in November 2025, marking his first such visit after his enthronement and the first by a Spanish monarch in 18 years.
Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that given the stable foundation of China-Spain relations and the growing autonomy of Spain’s foreign policy, it is only natural for the two sides to strengthen coordination. He noted that Spain, as one of the few major European countries where a left-wing government has remained relatively stable, has maintained sustained high-level engagement with China.
Cui noted that Spain has been one of the most outspoken European voices against US policies seen as harming European interests. AFP reported that Sanchez has doubled down on his refrain of ‘no to the war’ and refused Washington’s requests to use Spanish military bases against Iran. Cui added that as more European leaders are expected to visit China, the trend reflects Europe’s ongoing recalibration of its China policy — deepening dialogue with Beijing both to maintain economic ties and to cope with pressure from Washington.
