The business forum held in Chengdu turned into a meeting space between representatives of about 400 companies from Spain and China, as the Chinese authorities received direct requests from King Felipe VI to confront the challenges facing Spanish companies in the local market, according to the original source. The Spanish monarch particularly stressed the impact of tariffs applied to sectors such as pork, and called for concrete measures to facilitate cooperation and remove technical and trade obstacles. Throughout the day, Felipe VI reaffirmed Spain’s desire to act as a reliable partner, committing to attract investment from China and to its role as a link between Asia, Latin America and the European Union.
According to what was published, during the official opening of his state visit to China accompanied by Queen Letizia, Felipe VI stressed the international nature of the Spanish economy and explained to the authorities and businessmen the importance of establishing transparent and predictable regulatory frameworks. The Head of State stressed that the foundations of bilateral economic exchange must respond to the principles of mutual trust, legal security and market openness, which are basic principles to ensure lasting joint projects. “If we want to build a strong and lasting economic relationship between Spain and China, we must do so on the basis of mutual trust, openness and legal security, where trade and investment remain engines of stability and progress,” the king said, according to what the media reported.
The media detailed that, before Chinese authorities and business representatives, Felipe VI stressed the need to create stable conditions and clear regulatory environments for Spanish companies existing or interested in operating in China. He stressed that predictability and regulatory clarity are essential for the development of cooperative projects and stressed Spain’s active commitment to promoting a favorable climate for foreign investment and bilateral cooperation in the long term. The Saudi king said: “We know that commercial activity needs certainty, clear frameworks, and lasting relationships,” noting that the country is working to strengthen strategic alliances with Chinese companies.
During the event, Felipe VI identified areas of high potential for bilateral cooperation, highlighting sectors such as renewable energy, automobiles and pharmaceuticals, in which Chinese innovation plays a central role in the global landscape. According to the source, the King also mentioned the agro-food industry, indicating expectations of opening new markets for Spanish products in China. In his speech, he also highlighted the value of gastronomy as an element of cultural rapprochement and called on Chinese authorities and business people to learn about Spanish cuisine, while celebrating the interest expressed by China in Iberian cultural heritage.
The source also reported that Felipe VI presented Spain as an ideal environment for foreign investment, highlighting its entry into international trade flows and its strength in logistics infrastructure and services. From this perspective, the King emphasized the mutual benefit of cooperative projects between Chinese and Spanish companies, and focused his argument on the positive effects of technology transfer, capacity development and the creation of shared added value. He particularly highlighted Spain’s geopolitical position as a gateway to the European Union and emerging markets in North Africa, as well as the experience of its entrepreneurs in Latin America, a factor that may be of interest in the global expansion plans of Chinese partners.
The event in Chengdu also served as a framework to review the precedents and existing trade alliances between Spain and China, according to the source, highlighting the role these meetings can play in promoting innovation, knowledge transfer and realizing new joint projects. Felipe VI emphasized the value of the state visit in this context, highlighting Spain’s determination to strengthen economic cooperation with China and open the possibility of new trade and investment opportunities. “We are particularly excited that together we are able to foster new opportunities for cooperation that lead to the mutual benefit of our companies and the prosperity of our peoples,” the head of state said, according to media reports.
During the symposium, Economy Minister Carlos Budde touched on the importance of overcoming trade barriers in an international environment subject to uncertainties, according to the source. Bodi stressed the need for Spain and the European Union to establish stable and deep relations with their main partners, including China, as one of their strategic priorities. Moreover, he expressed appreciation for the contributions of Spanish companies to Chinese territory, and renewed the call for Asian investors to establish themselves in Spain, highlighting the favorable economic climate prevailing in the country. According to the forum, the Minister stressed that Spain will be the fastest growing developed economy in 2025, and expressed his appreciation for the national development model for its ability to generate good employment opportunities.
The press also included references to the road map that was determined during the recent visit of President Pedro Sanchez to Beijing, which is the framework that will determine the development of relations between the two countries and whose implementation was reflected in the organization of this business forum, which is considered a sign of the common will to strengthen economic and trade relations in the future.
At the meeting, CATL co-president Pan Jian spoke to the media, appreciating the support of the Spanish government in implementing major investments, especially the project in cooperation with Stellantis to build a huge factory dedicated to electric batteries in Zaragoza, with an announced investment of 4.1 billion euros. Ban provided details about the volume of work whose implementation will generate more than 4,500 job opportunities, and highlighted the quality of dialogue between the company and the Spanish authorities when resolving administrative and technical difficulties.
The CATL President noted that factors such as institutional stability in Spain, intergovernmental cooperation, agreement on ethical principles and a collective action approach decisively influenced the European country’s choice to develop the mega project. Moreover, he appreciated Spain’s commitment to promoting renewable energies, considering them essential for this sector. “Spain has one of the most committed governments in this regard, and for a company in the renewable energy sector, this is something we greatly appreciate,” Pan Jian said, according to the source.
The CATL Co-Chairman stressed that the alliance between the Chinese company, car manufacturer Stellantis and the Spanish institutions will bring benefits to all parties involved and committed to the continuity of CATL’s investments to promote job creation within the EU and the bloc’s economic growth. According to published information, this industrial cooperation falls within the framework of the two countries’ strategy for progress in the technology and clean energy sectors.
Among the figures present were the Spanish Minister of Economy, Carlos Budde, the President of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), Antonio Garamendi, and the President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, José Luis Bonet, who participated in the talks on reducing trade barriers and on the possibilities of expanding bilateral relations.
Media reported that both King Felipe VI and members of the Spanish delegation promoted the establishment of economic cooperation based on clear rules of the game and predictability of regulatory frameworks with the aim of strengthening confidence among investors and creating conditions for comprehensive development. They stressed that the continuity and diversification of real alliances could constitute an engine for generating wealth and employment in both Spain and China, as well as in third markets where shared expertise could be crucial.
According to what the source provided, the Chengdu Forum recorded mutual interest in moving towards a more flexible trade relationship, while reducing restrictions and facilitating large projects, in a context in which Spanish-Chinese cooperation is gaining importance not only at the bilateral level, but in the entire international economic framework.
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