Understanding builds trust

The Global Civilization Initiative advocates mutual cooperation and Spain plays a pivotal role in promoting closer ties between China and Europe

In March 2023, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, responding to a growing reality of rising geopolitical tensions accompanied with increasing misunderstanding among societies, political systems and cultural traditions. At a time when confrontational narratives and bloc politics are re-emerging, the initiative invites a deeper reflection on the role of culture and civilizational dialogue in building a more stable international order.

Three years later, the relevance of this initiative has become even clearer. The Global Civilization Initiative emphasizes that the diversity of civilizations constitutes a shared treasure of humanity and that mutual respect among cultures, political systems and development models is a necessary condition for global peace and development. Rather than interpreting the world through rigid ideological frameworks, the initiative encourages dialogue among people and the recognition of the legitimacy of different paths of development.

This approach is fully consistent with the principles that have historically guided China’s foreign policy, rooted in the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. On this conceptual foundation, China promotes a vision of international relations that favors dialogue, cooperation and mutual learning among civilizations.

Within this context, dialogue between China and Europe is acquiring increasing strategic importance. And within this broader framework, Spain occupies a particularly interesting position as a European country with a long tradition of cultural exchange and a relationship with China that continues to develop dynamically.

Relations between China and Spain have evolved significantly over recent decades. While bilateral trade has grown steadily, one of the most important developments has been the expansion of cultural, educational and social exchanges between the two countries.

Language interest provides one of the clearest indicators of this trend. Spanish has become one of the fastest-growing foreign languages in China, supported by the work of the Instituto Cervantes and the expansion of Hispanic studies programs in many Chinese universities. At the same time, the study of the Chinese language and culture has expanded steadily in Spain thanks to the network of Confucius Institutes, which has helped bring Chinese culture and language to a growing number of students.

These linguistic and academic exchanges have generated an increasingly dense network of human connections. Students, researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals who have lived or worked in both countries now play an important role in building mutual trust and creating new opportunities for cooperation.

Cultural interaction is also visible in the everyday life of Spanish cities. Celebrations of the Chinese New Year, art exhibitions and cultural festivals organized by Chinese community have gradually become part of the local cultural calendar. Organizations such as the association of Chinese in Spain have contributed significantly to strengthening these spaces for intercultural exchange.

At the same time, new initiatives are modernizing cultural dialogue between the two countries. A notable example is the gastronomic project China Taste, promoted by the China Cultural Center in Madrid, which showcases Chinese culinary culture in Spain. Its participation in Madrid Fusión, one of the world’s most influential gastronomic congresses, illustrates how cuisine can become a contemporary platform for dialogue among civilizations.

These exchanges contribute directly to one of the central goals of the Global Civilization Initiative: fostering mutual understanding and overcoming simplified perceptions of different societies. At the same time, they highlight the importance of strengthening the study and understanding of China in Europe. In Spain, there is still considerable room to deepen knowledge of China’s governance system based on socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as the principles guiding Chinese diplomacy.

Greater cultural understanding has a direct impact on economic cooperation. As mutual knowledge between societies increases, perception barriers diminish and conditions become more favorable for joint development initiatives.

Tourism provides a clear example. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Chinese visitors to Spain was growing steadily, attracted by the country’s historical heritage, cultural offerings and gastronomy. With the recovery of international travel, this flow is gradually increasing again.

At the same time, growing numbers of Spanish citizens are showing interest in visiting China. In this process, the China National Tourist Office in Madrid has played an important role by promoting initiatives aimed at presenting the country’s cultural and geographical diversity.

China’s visa-free policies for several European countries, including Spain, have also facilitated travel and encouraged people-to-people exchanges.

By contrast, visa procedures within the Schengen area remain relatively complex for Chinese citizens, which somewhat limits the potential growth of tourism, academic exchanges and business contacts.

In economic terms, China has become one of Spain’s most important trading partners outside the European Union. Spanish agri-food products such as olive oil, wine and ham are increasingly popular in the Chinese market, while Chinese companies are participating more actively in industrial and technological projects in Spain.

Nevertheless, the development of this economic relationship still offers significant potential. Spain could advance long-term policies that encourage a greater presence of Chinese enterprises, particularly in strategic sectors such as the energy transition, technological innovation and infrastructure.

In this context, stronger Spanish participation in international cooperation frameworks promoted by China — such as the Belt and Road Initiative — could contribute to enhanced economic connectivity and create new opportunities for shared development.

The recently outlined 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) further highlights the cultural dimension of China’s international engagement by emphasizing the importance of expanding international cultural exchanges and strengthening multi-level dialogue among civilizations.

This approach reflects an increasingly prominent conviction in Chinese strategic thinking: the stability of the international system depends not only on economic or military factors, but also on the ability of societies to understand one another.

Within this framework, cooperation between China and Europe can take many forms, including joint university research programs, exchanges between cultural institutions, partnerships between cities and collaborative innovation initiatives in sustainability.

Spain is well positioned to participate actively in these processes. Its universities maintain a strong tradition of international cooperation, while its cities provide vibrant cultural environments that can support artistic, academic and scientific dialogue with China.

In addition, the ecological transition represents a particularly promising area for cooperation. Exchanges of experience in renewable energy, sustainable urban development and the green economy demonstrate how dialogue among civilizations can also produce practical solutions to global challenges.

The Global Civilization Initiative is based on a fundamental idea: human progress does not require cultural uniformity, but rather the capacity of civilizations to engage in dialogue, learn from one another, and cooperate on the basis of mutual respect.

On the third anniversary of this initiative, relations between China and Spain illustrate how cultural, academic and economic exchanges can contribute to deeper understanding between societies with different historical traditions.

At a time when the world faces shared challenges — from technological transformation to ecological transition — dialogue among civilizations becomes an essential element for building trust and cooperation.

Promoting mutual understanding, expanding exchanges among peoples, and respecting the diversity of development paths are fundamental steps toward the goal advocated by China: building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The author is the executive president of Cátedra China Foundation, Spain.

The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.