The Diplomat
His Majesty the King and the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, have exchanged congratulatory messages in the last few hours on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Spain and China.
In his message, Xi Jingping stresses, according to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua, that since 1973, the two parties “have deepened their friendship, promoted cooperation and established and developed a comprehensive strategic partnership in the spirit of equality and mutual respect and benefit”.
The Chinese leader underlines that the relationship has brought “tangible benefits to the peoples of the two countries”. He went on to express his desire to continue working with the King to make the anniversary “a new starting point for consolidating mutual political trust“, as well as to expand cooperation for the benefit of the two countries and improve ties between the peoples, “writing together,” he stressed, “a new chapter of China-Spain friendly cooperation”.
According to Xinhua, Felipe VI’s letter stresses that relations between the two countries have developed “steadily and smoothly” and affirms that “friendship between the peoples has deepened”.
Furthermore, the Monarch expresses his confidence that the two countries will take the opportunity of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations “to broadly expand friendly exchanges and practical cooperation, and join efforts to address global challenges such as climate change”.
On 9 March 1973, Spain, still under Franco’s regime, recognised Mao Tse Tung’s People’s Republic of China, establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing, to the detriment of Taiwan.
In 1978, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia made their first state visit to China, where they returned in 2007. Don Felipe and Doña Letizia have not yet officially travelled to China as King and Queen, but in November 2018, on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, they received a visit from Xi Jinping and his wife.
The current Spanish government has not prepared special events to commemorate this 50th anniversary, among other reasons because of the delicate situation in Ukraine and China’s position in the conflict.
Casa Asia has organised some activities, such as a round table to delve into these 50 years of diplomatic relations, a symposium on economic opportunities for mutual investment, and a meeting with the writer Shuang Xuetao.
According to El Periódico, a commemorative concert is planned for 1 December this year at the Teatro Monumental in Madrid, which is expected to feature a Chinese and Spanish musical repertoire performed by the Orquesta y Coro de Radiotelevisión Española (Spanish Radio and Television Orchestra and Choir).
