While Europe is obsessed with war and the US with tariffs, China is doing business in the archipelago with its sights set on the south of Gran Canaria, causing panic in the peninsular press.
Fear is rampant, and on the Iberian Peninsula, it is enthusiastically exercised whenever the Canary Islands decide to evade Madrid's dictates. This time, the apocalypse comes from Asia: China has set its sights on the Canary Islands, and some are already talking about a "silent invasion."
An alarmism worthy of a spy movie, when all that's really happened is that the Asian giant has found a strategic investment point in the Canary Islands, while the central government remains distracted by its internal battles, the United States continues its tariff hikes globally, and the European Union is only thinking about rearmament and war.
Given this scenario, the media machinery peninsular has not been slow to raise the alarm in the face of the "silent invasion" from China in the Canary Islands, with headlines worthy of a spy and invader movie from 60s Hollywood.
And what exactly is the Asian giant doing? Investing in infrastructure, closing trade agreements, and collaborating on projects that will boost the island's main economic sectors: agriculture, the growing audiovisual sector, and, of course, tourism. Basically, the same thing the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have been doing for decades, but of course, when Beijing is making the move, everything suddenly becomes a threat.
What's truly troubling the peninsula isn't the Chinese presence, but rather the Canary Islands' ability to attract investors outside the usual circle, exercising their decision-making power and taking advantage of their geostrategic position. In a context where Europe and NATO are obsessed with inflating the shares of the European arms industry and in a kind of contemporary Cold War with Russia, the islands are choosing to attract capital rather than align their interests with armed conflicts.
While Brussels increases its military budget and NATO continues its escalation of war in Eastern Europe, the Canary Islands are looking further afield to the geopolitical landscape. With the United States pushing Europe into a trade war and the EU economy faltering, China appears to be a viable partner to fill the investment gap.
The most paranoid sectors of the State have already pulled out the NATO card. "The Canary Islands cannot fall under Chinese influence; they are a key point in the Atlantic.", as if the arrival of foreign investment were synonymous with domination. If we accept this discourse of bureaucrats in Madrid and Brussels, then the Americans have been "invading" the archipelago since They use the Gando base at will to refuel their aircraft and carry out military training.
The real problem is that the Canary Islands are taking an economic initiative that deviates from current European ideals. While they sell you the narrative of sustainability, they are also behind the scenes increasing military spending in anticipation of an "imminent Russian invasion." And that doesn't sit well with certain offices in Madrid.
The old formula of "the Canary Islands as a dependent territory" is faltering as the region begins to play its own cards on a global chessboard where, between tariffs and rearmament, the main players seem determined to "lock up" the economy.
In the Canary Islands, Chinese investments are viewed pragmatically. If they create jobs, develop infrastructure, and boost the economy, what's the problem? On the peninsula, however, fears of the archipelago breaking out of its traditional fold provoke alarmist headlines and apocalyptic rhetoric. It's as if the citizens of the Canary Islands were puppets without their own judgment.
Who knows, maybe they'll have to come from China for the Canary Islands to see the "economic diversification" that the regional government has been promoting since they saw the wolf's ears coming with the discontent of certain social sectors with the current tourism model.
The reality is that the world is changing. China is consolidating its position as an economic powerhouse with interests across the globe, and the Canary Islands, given their strategic location, were no exception. But while the Madrid-based tabloids continue to shout "the Chinese are coming!" in the Canary Islands, the only concern is ensuring that investment arrives, is managed well, and doesn't end up as another wasted opportunity due to fear and the interests of others.
