Spain’s King Felipe VI Visit to China

CGTN Europe

Manuel Torres Salazar, Managing Partner of Garrigues China, spoke to CGTN Europe about King Felipe VI’s visit to China. Manuel noted that the visit marks an important step in strengthening bilateral relations, giving new diplomatic momentum to trade, investment, and broader cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted that the discussions aim to improve the framework for foreign investment in China and open new opportunities in key sectors such as green energy, electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, tourism, artificial intelligence, and digital technology. Within the European Union, Spain seeks to position itself as a reliable and strategic partner to China, supporting the EU’s de-risking approach while acting as a constructive mediator among European countries.

Transcript

00:00Well, let's talk now to Manuel Torres Salazar, the managing partner in Carriques in China,

00:05a law firm that advises clients on foreign investments in China.

00:09Manuel, welcome, good to see you.

00:11How significant is this visit for Spain and for China? Come to that.

00:17Thank you for having me on.

00:19Well, I think the key business is really, really important

00:21because it elevates Spain-China relations to the higher level,

00:25also gives a diplomatic stamp to invest in the trade initiative

00:29and also improve, somehow, the perspective of the legal framework for FDI in China.

00:36As the Spanish team Felipe Csic said,

00:39a solid economic partnership between China and Spain is based on mutual trust,

00:44transparency and rule of law, where the investment and the trade

00:48remain the key driver of stability of progress of both countries.

00:53Which areas might we see the greatest progress in this relationship?

00:59Well, I think that most of the areas you already mentioned in the introduction

01:04is the green energy vehicle, pharmaceutical, tourist, artificial intelligence, digital.

01:10And also, you have to remind that Spain launched the action plan in 2025

01:16when the prime minister came to China.

01:18So, all this area will be fostered and encouraged in the next years.

01:22How do you see Spain positioning itself in its relationship with China within the wider EU framework?

01:32Yes, it's a really good question.

01:35Well, first of all, let me say that Spain is a really reliable partner,

01:40but Spain doesn't want to be just a trade partner.

01:42He wants to be a strategic partner.

01:45Even though we know we have some problems with the top-port tariff or even the trade imbalance,

01:51Spain within the European Union has two clear ideas.

01:54First of all, Spain supports the European Union strategy for the risking and not decoupling.

02:01And also, Spain is a bridge to building within the European Union

02:05in order to mediate between different countries and different feelings against China.

02:11So, I think that the role that Spain can play in the future will be better than before.

02:19I wonder how important cultural exchanges are and mutual understanding

02:24in strengthening this China-Spain relationship.

02:31Well, did you remember that Mr. Xi Jinping said, referring to our king,

02:35that it's a good friend for Chinese people.

02:37I think it's a really important highlight that we need to remark.

02:42In culture, I think that Spain could be another bridge,

02:46but in this case, focusing on Latin American countries.

02:49I think the Spanish-speaking countries are very important for the Chinese agenda.

02:54Even though Spain is not part of the One Bell, One Road initiative,

02:57Spain is developing and collaborating together with a lot of Chinese companies

03:01where they decide to go overseas to vote Latin America.

03:04So, I think that Spain can play a very good role

03:08and could be a very good partner for this Chinese investment.

03:12Manuel, good to talk to you.

03:13And thanks so much for coming on the programme.

03:16Manuel Torres Salazar.

03:18Thank you for having me.

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