As King Felipe and Queen Letizia prepare for their upcoming state visit to China, it’s a fitting moment to look back nearly half a century to when their predecessors, Juan Carlos and Sofía, first laid the groundwork for diplomatic relations with the Middle Kingdom. That landmark trip in June 1978 was a true breakthrough, marking the first time a Spanish plane ever landed at Beijing airport and opening a new chapter in ties between the two countries.
Unlike the present-day delegation, which will include ministers of economy and foreign affairs, that inaugural visit had a completely different makeup. Remarkably, there wasn’t a single business representative on board. Instead, the monarchs were accompanied by an impressive contingent of over 90 journalists and technical specialists, including renowned Spanish media figures like Iñaki Gabilondo and Jaime Peñafiel. The press corps even outnumbered the journalists covering President Nixon’s visit. It was Peñafiel who later recalled a mysterious incident during the flight: an unidentified glowing object that followed their plane. Upon landing, Queen Sofía—well known for her interest in the paranormal—enthusiastically questioned reporters about the sighting, expressing regret that she had not witnessed the phenomenon herself.
The reception in Beijing was organized on a grand scale. Not only were the highest-ranking Chinese officials present to greet the Spanish monarchs at the aircraft steps, but around five thousand enthusiastic young people also gathered, creating a festive atmosphere. The visit’s agenda was packed and, as the media noted at the time, was mainly political. Juan Carlos and Sofía began their visit by laying a wreath at Mao Zedong’s mausoleum. The trip also included visits to Hangzhou and Shanghai, talks with Communist Party Chairman Hua Guofeng, attendance at military parades, and official conferences.
However, official ceremonies were seamlessly combined with a cultural program. The royal couple had the opportunity to experience some of the greatest treasures of Chinese civilization. They walked along the Great Wall, visited the Ming tombs, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace in Beijing. A reception for the small Spanish diaspora was also held at the Spanish embassy.
But perhaps the most memorable and touching moment for Queen Sofía, a passionate animal advocate, was a gift from Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. He presented Spain with a pair of giant pandas, Chang Chang and Shao Shao. This gesture of goodwill carried great significance. In 1982, these very pandas became the parents of the famous cub Chulín—the first baby panda born in captivity in Europe. Nearly thirty years later, in 2007, during her third visit to China, Queen Sofía was reunited with the pandas when she visited the Chengdu reserve, home to the new giant pandas sent to the Madrid Zoo.
