China–Spain relations

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China–Spain relations
Map indicating locations of China and Spain

China

Spain

China–Spain relations have existed since the 16th century. Relations between

People's Republic of China were established in 1973.[1] Spain has adhered to the One-China policy
that it recognizes the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China and does not recognize the legitimacy of the Republic of China on Taiwan.

History

Contact between China and Spain first occurred between the

Spanish-ruled Philippines, in which Spain believed it could take over China.[2][3][4]

When the Chinese pirate

Fujian Province were willing to let the Spanish establish a trade port on an island south of Xiamen, in return for Limahong's capture. However, the governor of the Philippines did not respond favourably, and the offer came to nothing when Limahong escaped from Manila.[5]

In 1598, Cantonese officials allowed Spain to trade in El Piñal, a port in the Pearl River Delta near Macau. The Portuguese in Macau reacted violently and chased away the Spanish from the area by arms in 1600.[5]

The Qing dynasty and Spain had diplomatic relations.[citation needed]

In 1927, a treaty recognising extraterritoriality was signed between the

Republic of China had diplomatic relations with Spain under Francisco Franco.[7]

Francoist Spain's relations with the People's Republic of China began in 1973 after both countries were still reeling from the aftermath of civil wars.[1]

Bilateral relations

The volume of trade between the two countries has grown considerably in recent years. Total trade, at US$7.2 billion in 2004, had increased to $22.7 billion by October 2008.[1]

Manuela Carmena and Xi Jinping during the later's visit to Madrid in 2018

Relations have gradually improved, with official state visits and various exchanges.[8] Spain hosted Expo 2008, with China being a participant, and China hosted Expo 2010 in which Spain had a pavilion. As a consequence, China has become Spain's sixth-largest trading partner.[1]

In June 2019, Spain had extradited 94 Taiwanese nationals to Mainland China as part of "Operation Great Wall" instead of Taiwan. Both countries signed an extradition agreement in 2006.[9]

The next month, the UN ambassadors from 22 nations, including Spain, signed a joint letter to the UNHRC condemning China's alleged mistreatment of the Uyghurs as well as of other minority groups and urged the Chinese government to close the Xinjiang internment camps.[10][11]

Trade

While most cargoes are shipped between China and Europe (including Spain) by sea, there are direct container trains running from Yiwu (Zhejiang Province) to Madrid as well.[12]

During the Coronavirus crisis it was reported in April 2020, that 640,000 Antigen Coronavirus Test Kits which themselves were replacements for previously supplied faulty kits, bought from a Chinese company 'Bioeasy' had been found to be defective, prompting Spain to seek a refund.[13] The Spanish Health Ministry reported that faulty face masks bought from another Chinese company 'Garry Galaxy' had resulted in infections among health workers, requiring the isolation of over a thousand Spanish healthcare personnel.[14]

Resident diplomatic missions

  • Embassy of China in Madrid
    Embassy of China in Madrid
  • Consulate-General of China in Barcelona
    Consulate-General of China in Barcelona

See also

References

External links