[This Issue’s Guide]
On April 14, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez, who was on an official visit to China, in Beijing. President Xi pointed out that despite a volatile and turbulent international landscape, China-Spain relations have maintained steady growth, forging a relationship with strategic resilience. An important lesson from this is making the right decisions based on common interests.
“Deepening cooperation serves the interests of our two peoples, keeps up with the trend of the times, and strengthens our capacity and confidence in pursuing an independent path.” In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leaders, China-Spain relations have developed at a high level. The two sides have continuously expanded areas of cooperation, innovated cooperation methods, tapped into cooperation potential, and established a dynamic and resilient industrial and supply chain partnership, delivering more tangible outcomes that benefit both countries and peoples.
Spanish figures from various sectors and media believe that Spain-China cooperation is moving towards a new, more diversified stage. Today, within the framework of Europe-China dialogue, a “Spain-China moment” has emerged. The healthy development of Europe-China relations aligns with the common interests of both sides and is conducive to world peace and stability.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the imperial capital for several dynasties, most notably the Ming and Qing, which left behind iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Today, it is a vast modern metropolis and political center, while preserving its profound historical legacy as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 4,000 years, marked by successive dynasties, profound philosophical traditions like Confucianism, and technological innovations such as paper and gunpowder. Today, it is a vast and diverse nation encompassing ancient cultural sites like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City alongside modern megacities, blending deep historical heritage with rapid contemporary development.
Spain
Spain is a country in southwestern Europe with a rich and layered history shaped by successive civilizations, including the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors, whose nearly 800-year presence left a profound architectural and cultural legacy. Its unification under the Catholic Monarchs in the late 15th century launched a global empire, and today Spain is renowned for its diverse regions, vibrant festivals, and influential contributions to art, cuisine, and language worldwide.
Europe
Europe is a continent with a rich and complex history, shaped by ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome, the transformative Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the modern era of industrialization and political union. Culturally, it is the origin of influential movements in art, philosophy, and science, and is home to countless historic sites, from medieval castles to grand cathedrals. Today, it is largely organized into the European Union, a political and economic partnership promoting cooperation among many of its diverse nations.
