What happened
Spain and China have strengthened their alliance, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visiting China's President Xi Jinping four times in as many years. This move has sparked resentment among some European partners, who view Beijing as a strategic rival and potential threat to the EU. Sanchez has urged the EU to improve relations with China, but other EU countries, such as Germany and France, have taken a more aggressive approach towards China.
China's Vice Mayor Lu Shan attended the opening ceremony of Barcelona's cultural festival, La Merce, where Chinese performers showcased their traditions. The event highlighted the growing cultural and economic ties between Spain and China. Chinese investment in Spain has surged, with investments in new battery gigafactories and car plants driving the growth.
Critics worry that Spain's welcoming stance towards China may enable Beijing to gain an economic foothold within the EU, potentially weakening the single market. Spain's decision to award a contract to Chinese tech giant Huawei to store and manage sensitive judicial wiretap data has also raised concerns about security risks.
Other EU countries, such as Finland and Greece, are also forming new alliances in response to global volatility. Finland has turned to Israel for advanced defense equipment, while Greece has signed a major defense export deal with Israel to counter the perceived threat from Turkey.
