China rejects US Ambassador’s warnings and defends its relationship with Spain

The Diplomat The Chinese Embassy in Spain conveyed to The Diplomat in Spain its rejection of the statements made this Wednesday by the US Ambassador to Spain, Benjamin León Jr., who warned during a breakfast briefing in Madrid that Spain should act “without naiveté” in its relationship with Beijing and prevent China from “penetrating” sectors considered strategic. Chinese diplomatic sources told this newspaper that relations between China and Spain “have always been based on mutual respect, openness, and shared benefit” and asserted that bilateral cooperation has contributed “to the economic development and well-being of both peoples.” The Chinese diplomatic mission believes that the US ambassador's words reflect a “Cold War mentality” and regrets that Washington is trying to “sow suspicion” about China's economic and technological presence in third countries. “China never forces any country to choose sides nor does it seek spheres of influence,” the same sources stated, asserting Spain’s sovereign right to develop economic and trade relations “with any country in the world in accordance with its own national interests.” Beijing’s reaction comes after Benjamín León Jr., in his first major public appearance since arriving in Madrid last February, stated that Spain “must be very careful to keep China out of its critical areas” because, in his view, the Asian giant “is beginning to penetrate those areas, and that is indeed dangerous.” In response to these statements, the Chinese Embassy maintained that Chinese companies operating in Spain and Europe “act in accordance with local laws and international regulations” and rejected the notion that their activities pose a threat to the national security of other states. Furthermore, the sources consulted asserted that cooperation between China and Europe “should not be conditioned by external pressures” and called for maintaining international relations based “on multilateralism and mutual respect.” The US ambassador's remarks came amid growing diplomatic tension between Washington and the Spanish government, particularly following disagreements over defense spending within NATO and differences regarding the use of the joint bases at Rota and Morón in US military operations. China has become one of Spain's main trading partners outside the European Union in recent years, although relations between Beijing and Brussels are currently under increasing strategic scrutiny due to issues related to technology, critical infrastructure, the energy transition, and industrial dependence.

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