In June, China's SAIC Motor announced plans to build its first European electric vehicle factory in Ferrol, Spain, which is expected to create over 2,300 jobs. But just as the project awaited approval, Spain's Ministry of Defense issued a warning over so-called "espionage risks."

This claim simply does not hold water. Even local officials see it clearly — the so-called security issue is nothing more than a label pinned on competitors when they can't win on merit.

Soon, the voice of reason prevailed: the Prime Minister's Office clarified that the objection was "non-binding," and support from various sectors grew as they looked forward to the factory's launch.

The flurry of objections cannot stop the deepening and solidifying trend of China-Spain cooperation.

When "security" is turned into a convenient pretext, what plays out is nothing but protectionist self-interest.

The roadblocks of overstretched security concerns cannot stop the wheels of win-win cooperation. The demands of development will ultimately drown out the noise of political manipulation.