Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez “Returns” to China—His Fourth Visit in Four Years—Having Once Stated, “I Hope to Visit China Every Year.”
By pursuing an independent and autonomous foreign policy, Spain has emerged as something of an ” outlier” among EU member states; it is also regarded by the United States as one of the European nations most friendly toward China—and one of the least inclined to heed Washington’s directives.
Within this policy framework and geopolitical context, maintaining friendly relations with China affords Spain greater flexibility and a wider range of options.
Prime Minister Sánchez’s current visit will focus primarily on Beijing, with one of its core objectives being the attraction of increased investment: on one hand, encouraging Chinese enterprises already operating in Spain to expand their investments; and on the other, securing broader market access opportunities for Spanish companies operating within China. (GSF)
