China Deploys Ideological Diplomacy in Spain as Sánchez Prepares Fourth Visit

Spain - Ekhbary News Agency

China Deploys Ideological Diplomacy in Spain as Sánchez Prepares Fourth Visit

Beyond the visible channels of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Beijing employs a less conspicuous yet decisive instrument in its international projection: the International Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This department, operating not as a state organ but as an extension of the omnipresent Party, plays a crucial role in shaping China's global engagement.

Its primary function is to forge relationships with political formations, governments, and power elites worldwide, often bypassing or preceding traditional institutional diplomacy. This approach allows Beijing to exert influence and build connections at a partisan level, complementing its state-to-state interactions. The strategy is particularly evident in Spain, where recent high-level engagements highlight a concerted effort to deepen political ties.

Late last month, Ma Hui, a Vice Minister within this influential department, led a delegation of senior Chinese officials on a visit to Spain. His itinerary was strategically curated, featuring a prominent meeting with former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, a long-standing and frequent interlocutor for Beijing. Ma, a seasoned diplomat and former ambassador to Cuba, has maintained a fluid relationship with Zapatero for years, engaging with him both in Madrid and Beijing. Zapatero is often seen participating in forums and conferences sponsored by institutions linked to the CCP, underscoring the deep connections he has cultivated.

Official Chinese channels highlighted a meeting between Ma and Zapatero in Beijing in July 2024, which also included Spain's current Ambassador to China, Marta Betanzos, albeit in a secondary role. This encounter exemplifies how the lines between official statecraft and partisan influence networks blur when the CCP is involved. The visit underscores the department's mandate to engage directly with political actors, fostering understanding and alignment with Beijing's objectives.

This engagement comes as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez prepares for his fourth official visit to China, scheduled for April 13-15. Sánchez's previous three visits have focused on boosting investment and opening doors for Spanish companies. His upcoming trip signifies the ongoing importance of the bilateral relationship and Spain's position within China's European strategy.

While the relationship with the current Spanish government and figures like Zapatero is particularly close, Ma Hui's agenda is not confined to a single political spectrum. The International Department of the CCP maintains communication channels with over 600 parties and organizations globally. These range from communist and social democratic parties to conservative and nationalist movements. The objective is not ideological affinity but rather access, dialogue, and the potential for influence over those in power or those aspiring to it. In China's political system, where the Party holds ultimate authority, this department wields significant power.

During his Madrid stay, Ma Hui also met with key figures from the People's Party (PP), including Deputy Secretary-General Alberto Nadal and Secretary for International Relations Ildefonso Castro. Further engagements included meetings with Enrique Santiago, Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Spain, and Santiago Lucas-Torres, Vice President of the Cortes of Castilla-La Mancha. The delegation also traveled to Barcelona, where they met with Albert Dalmau, acting president of the Catalan regional government.

According to diplomatic sources, a central focus of Ma's visit was the presentation of Beijing's upcoming Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). This plan outlines China's economic and social development roadmap, showcasing its continued commitment to centralized planning, a system maintained uninterrupted for over seven decades. However, the plan transcends mere economic targets; it represents the CCP's strategic vision for achieving "socialist modernization," a concept integrating stringent political control, technological ambition, and global outreach.

Ma emphasized that China is shifting its focus from high-growth rates to a "sustainable, balanced, and high-quality" development model, driven by innovation and investment in science and technology. This narrative aims to position China as a responsible global player and a reliable partner for economic development, contrasting with perceived instability from other global powers.

Beijing's strategy is to engage across the political spectrum and present itself as a trustworthy entity. The delegation participated in a forum organized by Cátedra China, a think tank closely aligned with Beijing. These platforms, blending academic analysis with parallel diplomacy, serve as crucial channels for disseminating China's narrative in Europe.

In his address at the forum, supported by the Chinese Ambassador to Madrid, Yao Jing, Ma stated: "The Communist Party is willing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Spanish political parties, deepen mutual learning in governance and state management, and promote practical cooperation and understanding between peoples." This conciliatory language masks a clear ambition: to promote the idea that Beijing, in contrast to the perceived "outbursts" of former U.S. President Donald Trump, is the sole stable and reliable superpower, thereby normalizing its presence in European political decision-making centers.

Under Xi Jinping's leadership, the CCP's International Department has gained considerable prominence. The Chinese leader has transformed this body into one of the most effective tools for party propaganda and international influence. Spain has become a regular destination for this increasingly intensive diplomatic outreach in Europe. It is a patient and meticulous strategy, as noted by a former Spanish consul in China, aimed at securing long-term political influence in a key country on the EU's southern flank. Beijing views Spain as a valuable piece on the European chessboard.

The increasing engagement with China for business purposes is a complex geopolitical maneuver. As Spain navigates its relationship with Beijing, its openness to the CCP's partisan diplomacy raises questions about the balance between economic interests and political alignment, prompting discussions about strategic autonomy and the nature of international partnerships in a multipolar world.

Ekhbary News Agency