For just the third time in recent history, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to make a brief yet highly anticipated stopover in Gran Canaria this Wednesday, marking another significant visit by a Chinese leader to the Canary Islands.
Xi’s landing is not part of a grand diplomatic tour but rather a fleeting stop on his way to the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit, which will take place in Peru later this week. Nevertheless, the anticipation has transformed the island’s usual rhythm.
Gran Canaria’s capital has seen a flurry of activity over the past few days as the streets and sites prepare for the arrival of the Chinese delegation. Security arrangements have noticeably intensified around the island, with heavy police presence and even road closures. President Xi is expected to land at Gran Canaria Airport at around 3.30 pm local time. His brief but meticulously planned stay includes lodging at the historic Hotel Santa Catalina in Las Palmas, where an entire section has been reserved for his entourage.
A limited diplomatic reception
Xi will be received upon arrival by Fernando Clavijo, President of the Canary Islands Government. However, Spain’s central government has not indicated any participation in the visit. President Xi’s itinerary in Gran Canaria, veiled in secrecy, does feature a few notable stops. Among them is the historic Casa de Colón in the Vegueta district. Furthermore, a visit to the Port of La Luz, one of the Canary Islands’ major maritime hubs. However, much of the details surrounding the remainder of his visit remain unclear.
Intensified security measures
The level of security accompanying the Chinese leader has been striking. It is a logistical operation unseen in the Canary Islands in years, meticulously organised for a visit that will barely exceed 24 hours. The Santa Catalina Hotel’s complete reservation and the odd presence of 300 panda toys reportedly brought as part of the hotel decor only heightened the air of curiosity surrounding the visit. In addition, Chinese personnel have integrated into the hotel’s regular staff, taking additional precautions, including the replacement of washing machines to meet security standards.
Previous visits to the Canary Islands
This stop marks Xi Jinping’s third layover in the Canary Islands following a visit to Tenerife in 2019 and an earlier stay in Maspalomas in 2016. Historically, Gran Canaria and its sister island Tenerife have frequently served as temporary stations for Chinese dignitaries on their way to or from South America. Notably, Xi’s predecessors Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao also stopped in the archipelago in the early 2000s.
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