Spanish prime minister to visit China for fourth time in four years

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will travel to China from April 11 to 15, marking his fourth visit to the country in as many years, as Madrid seeks to strengthen its commercial and strategic ties with the world’s second-largest economy.

During his visit, Sanchez is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and China’s top legislator Zhao Leji, a spokesperson at the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on April 8, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Sanchez last visited China in April 2025, and previously in September 2024 and March 2023. The visits follow a state visit by King Felipe last November, the first by a Spanish monarch in 18 years, highlighting the closeness of bilateral relations despite broader European and U.S. caution toward Beijing.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said, "China is willing to work with Spain to take Prime Minister Sanchez's visit to China as ⁠an opportunity to further deepen strategic mutual trust, intensify exchanges and cooperation, strengthen multilateral ⁠coordination, and push bilateral relations to new heights."

The upcoming trip is expected to focus on expanding trade, investment, and political cooperation, further solidifying Spain’s engagement with China amid shifting global economic dynamics.

By Sabina Mammadli