On the morning of November 12, 2025, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with King Felipe VI of Spain, who is on a state visit to China.

President Xi Jinping welcomed King Felipe VI to China, and noted that both China and Spain have profound historical and cultural heritage. Over the past 50-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have always viewed and developed bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, respected and supported each other, and contributed to each other’s success. This has set a model of pursuing amicable ties and common development by countries with different history, culture and social systems, and played an important role in promoting openness and cooperation in the world and upholding international fairness and justice. The Spanish royal family has made remarkable contributions to developing the China-Spain relationship. As the two countries celebrate the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership, King Felipe VI’s state visit is of great significance to the further advancement of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. 

President Xi Jinping underscored that China values the traditional friendship with Spain and its unique role in international and regional affairs. China stands ready to work with Spain to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership with greater strategic determination, dynamism and global influence. It is important for the two sides to continue supporting each other firmly, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic guidance, and ensure that the bilateral relationship always advances along the right path. The two sides need to further advance practical cooperation. China will import more quality products from Spain. The two sides should explore the potential of cooperation in such emerging areas as new energy, digital economy and AI, expand mutual investment and build more signature projects. The two sides could also tap into complementarity and jointly explore third-party markets such as Latin America and the Caribbean. The two sides need to strengthen people-to-people connectivity. They should enhance exchanges in culture and education, and support each other in the operation of cultural and language institutions in each other’s country. China will extend the visa-free policy to Spain to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and bring the two peoples closer. 

President Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The world today is now in a new period of turbulence and transformation. The pursuit of peace and development remains an arduous task. I have put forward the building of a community with a shared future for humanity for the hope that countries could rise above differences in social systems and ideologies, build consensus through dialogue and consultation, and work together to turn the aspirations of people around the world for a better life into reality. China stands ready to work with Spain to support the U.N. in playing a central role in international affairs, safeguard the rules of free trade and the international economic and trade order, and make global governance more just and equitable, for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. 

King Felipe VI said that it is a great pleasure to pay a state visit to China at the 20th anniversary of the Spain-China comprehensive strategic partnership. Spain and China enjoy longstanding friendly exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have consistently trusted and respected each other and worked together for joint development and prosperity. China has accomplished globally recognized and admirable achievements in its development. Its successful experiences, especially in poverty alleviation and green and low-carbon development, offer great inspiration. The Spanish government is firmly committed to the one-China policy, supports China in safeguarding its territorial integrity, and stands ready to work with China to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership to bring more benefits to the two peoples and contribute even more to global peace and stability. Investment by Chinese enterprises has strongly boosted Spain’s economic growth and green transition. Spain is willing to maintain close exchanges with China, in order to seize the important opportunities presented by China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and deepen cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, industry, science and technology, and green energy. King Felipe VI appreciated China for extending the visa-free policy, and expressed the readiness to strengthen cultural, linguistic and tourism exchanges in order to enhance the friendship between the two peoples. History can only move forward, and does not allow for going backward. Spain and China share highly similar philosophies on many international affairs, and both support multilateralism and the settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation. Spain highly appreciates the four major Global Initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and is going to work with China to respond to uncertainties in the international situation with a view to upholding international trade order and promoting the steady development of the global economy.

After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation documents in trade and economy, science and technology, and education, among others.

Prior to the meeting, President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the square outside the Eastern Entrance of the Great Hall of the People. 

As King Felipe VI arrived, a guard of honor lined up in salutation. President Xi Jinping and King Felipe VI stepped onto a stand, after which a military band played the national anthems of China and Spain as a 21-gun was fired in Tiananmen Square. King Felipe VI reviewed the guard of honor of the People’s Liberation Army and watched the march-past in President Xi Jinping’s company.

President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan hosted a welcome banquet for King Felipe VI and his wife in the evening.

Wang Yi was present at the above events.