Madrid's Chinatown gets $12m glow-up as PM Sanchez heads to China

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is in Beijing on an official visit as relations between the two nations continue to grow diplomatically, economically and culturally.

Chinese people in Madrid has a new cause for celebration as the Usera neighborhood – the heart of the Chinese community, on the capital's southside – is receiving a big investment.

A giant 15-by-20 meter dragon in the Plaza de las Tizas is one of the most prominent features of a new 1.5km path joining Usera with the Madrid river walk and amenity trail.

The dragon, a cherished symbol of prosperity in Chinese culture, pays homage to the Chinese community that has enriched this barrio or neighborhood for over a quarter of a century. It's on a 285 square meter play area – big enough for more than 100 children – which includes swings, slides, climbing walls and trampolines.

The riverside path also boasts 290 new trees and 11,000 plants (Including many Chinese species), a brand new 500-kilogram marble panda, and an iconic páifāng, or gateway, reminiscent of the ones at the London and New York Chinatowns.

Cultural nods include quotes on the street from philosophers from Confucius to Bruce Lee, with the martial arts icon reminding readders to "Be water, my friend - it adapts, flows, and always finds a way."

All of the above forms part of a $12 million investment into the neighborhood. In February the project, which received EU funding, won an 'Urban Transformation' award from Catedra China – a Spanish organization set up to bolster Spain-China ties.

"More than 40,000 Chinese people live in this neighborhood that has a unique and different identity where two cultures coexist peacefully," Almudena Maíllo, Madrid's Councilor for Tourism told CGTN. 

"That represents what Madrid is all about – an open and welcoming city."

The project also aims to create an alternative tourism away from the well-beaten path in the city centre. But what do local people think?

"It's beautiful, really original, it just looks great, brightens up the place, It's great," Maria Gonzalez says to CGTN in the shadow of the paifang.

"They've done a really lovely job, they're modernizing the area, and the park for the kids is amazing," Viviana Gonzalez says, while her young son plays on the giant dragon.

Spain has become China's closest partner in Europe, while Chinese investment in Spain – particularly in renewables like solar energy plants, EV gigafactories, and green hydrogen projects – has soared, with over $12 billion poured into the country's economy.

With joint trade worth over $50 billion in 2025, no wonder China's ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, tells CGTN: "This is the best time as far as the relations between China and Spain are concerned."

"This Chinese community could play a very important bridge between China and Madrid," Yao continues. "So I think that we are lucky to have a partner like Spain in Europe. We hope that the partners like Spain in Europe could be also be increasing in the future time."

Spain and China have also grown closer diplomatically, from shared ambitions to become electrostates and green energy leaders to Sanchez' prominence as Europe's loudest and most influential anti-war voice during the Iran conflict, rhyming with China's position that favors dialogue over fighting. 

China also stated that "trade should not be used as a weapon or as a tool," a day after US President Donald Trump's threatened to "cut all trade" with Spain for its anti-war stance and opposition to the US military using Spain's Rota and Morón bases for attacks on Iran. 

Back on the southside of Madrid, the streets of the Usera neighborhood come to life every year during Lunar New Year celebrations – a Chinese fiesta with fireworks and traditional dances lighting up the biggest Spring Festival parade in Spain. 

Now the city is doubling down on Usera's identity and celebrating the barrio's Chinese heritage. One Confucian phrase written on the street in Mandarin and translated into Spanish talks about the beauty of different cultures blending together to create harmony, reflecting Usera's aims to become a living example of peaceful and prosperous coexistence and cooperation.