From the Silk Road to diverse ties: China-Spain exchanges on the rise

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is making his fourth visit to China in four consecutive years, underscoring ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral partnership and expand engagement between their peoples.

More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Silk Road carried China's silk and tea across Eurasia to Spain. Today, these early connections have developed into a broad network of bilateral ties spanning various fields. Among them, people-to-people exchanges provide a solid social foundation for China-Spain relations and continue to deepen and deliver tangible results.

Signed last year as the two countries marked the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership, the Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Spain (2025–2028) reflects a shared commitment to building a more resilient and dynamic relationship. In the plan, people-to-people exchanges – including culture, education, sports and tourism – were identified as a key priority.

Soon after his arrival in Beijing on April 11, Sánchez and his wife visited the Drum Tower, a centuries-old landmark on the Beijing Central Axis, experiencing firsthand the historical and cultural atmosphere of the Chinese capital. On the following day, they toured the Summer Palace, a well-preserved imperial garden, and strolled through Shichahai, a historic area where traditional hutong neighborhoods meet contemporary urban life.

Such visits reflect a growing interest in Chinese culture in Spain, which is also evident in a wide range of public events that bring China's traditions and contemporary life closer to local audiences. The "Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations, held for 15 consecutive years, have become widely attended festive events, featuring performances, heritage showcases and culinary experiences across major Spanish cities.

Meanwhile, Spanish cultural elements continue to resonate with Chinese audiences in diverse ways. What began with literary works such as Don Quixote has expanded into a rich variety of cultural expressions. The flamenco production Carmen by Ballet Flamenco de Madrid is once again touring Chinese cities, while Spanish films are frequently featured at film festivals and screening programs in China.

Increasing cooperation has brought the two cultures closer and made exchanges more accessible to the public. In 2023, the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, included exhibitions, concerts and a variety of public events, enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Museum collaboration is also gaining momentum. An exhibition on ancient bronze civilization in southwest China is currently on display in Spain, while an immersive VR exhibition is presenting masterpieces from Madrid's Prado Museum to audiences in Shanghai.

During his visit to Beijing, Sánchez visited Tsinghua University on April 13 and delivered a speech, where he greeted the audience with "Dajia hao" ("Hello everyone" in Chinese), drawing warm applause.

Language and education have become important pillars of China-Spain people-to-people exchanges, helping to foster long-term understanding and sustained engagement between the two societies.

Chinese language education continues to grow in Spain, supported by 10 Confucius Institutes and a Confucius Classroom. China has also established a China Cultural Center in Madrid and is planning a second center in Barcelona. At the same time, Spanish language education is steadily developing in China, with more than 100 universities offering Spanish-language programs. Spain has also established two Instituto Cervantes centers in Beijing and Shanghai, making it the first European country to have cultural institutions in two Chinese cities.

Beyond language learning, cooperation between universities has deepened in recent years. During his visit, Sánchez was also awarded an honorary professorship at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and expressed his commitment to deepening collaboration, promoting joint research and supporting talent exchange, underscoring the shared goal of advancing knowledge through closer academic ties.

In 2025, the popular Chinese reality show Viva La Romance chose Spain as one of its destinations, taking viewers from Barcelona to surrounding attractions and showcasing the country's vibrant culture, diverse landscapes and way of life.

Spain has become an increasingly popular destination for Chinese travelers, who are seeking deeper cultural experiences, from the architectural marvels of Antoni Gaudí to the historic cities and renowned cuisine of the country. In 2025, the number of visits made by Chinese travelers to Spain approached 800,000, a rise of 22.5% compared to 2024, while tourist spending continued to grow steadily.

At the same time, China is attracting more Spanish visitors, drawn by its long history, vibrant food culture, diverse landscapes and dynamic consumer market. Supported by visa facilitation measures and improved travel convenience, Spanish citizens made more than 210,000 trips to China last year, reaching a record high.

Air connectivity has also played an important role in this trend. The number of weekly direct flights between the two countries has reached a historic high and is expected to grow further, making travel increasingly convenient.

Looking ahead: Steady ties and broadening cooperation

From cultural events and educational cooperation to tourism and other forms of engagement, people-to-people exchanges are bringing China and Spain closer together than ever before.

Enduring symbols of friendship, such as decades of cooperation on giant panda conservation in Madrid, reflect the depth and warmth of ties between the two peoples. At the same time, cooperation continues to grow across a wide range of areas, adding richness and diversity to bilateral ties.

As Sánchez noted in his speech at Tsinghua University, China and Spain should pursue cooperation in all possible areas on the basis of mutual respect. In a world that calls for greater understanding and collaboration, the steady and enduring development of ties between China and Spain demonstrates how countries with different histories and cultures can learn from each other and move forward together.