In 2021, the comprehensive strategic partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Spain maintained a sound momentum of growth, with deepening exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

The two countries enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges. In May, Presidnet Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón. In December, NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu met with Speaker of Spain’s Congress of Deputies Meritxell Batet Lamaña via video link. In November, CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang met with President of the Senate of Spain Ander Gil Garcia virtually. In April, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi took a phone call from Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha González Laya. In June, President José Luis Centella and General Secretary Enrique Santiago Romero of the Communist Party of Spain sent congratulatory letters on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.

Bilateral practical cooperation made steady progress. Over the year, two-way trade registered a yearly increase of 27.7 %. In October, Spanish Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Reyes Maroto Illera addressed the fourth China International Import Expo via video link. The number of TEUs transported on the Yiwu-to-Madrid route of the China-Europe Railway Express doubled year on year, and a new route linking Xi’an to Barcelona was opened. In January, China Three Gorges Corporation participated in Spanish photovoltaic projects through acquisition and successfully delivered the Daylight photovoltaic power plant project in Spain. In December, the China EV100 Hydrogen Center and the Spanish National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Testing Center reached consensus on cooperation and signed an MOU online. In July, Lanzhou Jiaotong University was authorized to establish a Confucius Institute at the University of Seville in Spain.