On December 1, Renmin University of China (RUC) and Complutense University of Madrid jointly inaugurated the China-Spain Center on Civilizational Exchange and Cooperation. This initiative aims to strengthen educational collaboration and foster cross-cultural understanding between the two nations. Key attendees included China’s Minister of Education, Huai Jinpeng; Chair of the University Council of RUC, Zhang Donggang; Counselor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in Spain, Zhao Weimin; and Complutense University President, Joaquín Goyache Goñi. The unveiling ceremony was hosted by Ana Rey, Director of the President Office at Complutense University.
In the presence of Minister Huai Jinpeng, Zhang Donggang and Joaquín Goyache jointly unveiled the center’s plaque and signed a bilateral cooperation agreement.
In his address, Minister Huai emphasized education’s critical role in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and advancing civilizational exchange. Highlighting a millennia-old Chinese philosophy of harmonious coexistence, Huai described the center as a testament to the shared wisdom of both universities and the deep foundation of China-Spain relations. He encouraged the two universities to lead, support, and drive cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Europe. Huai envisioned the center as a bridge for youth dialogue, innovation, and collaborative development, aspiring to nurture talent, expand academic cooperation, and contribute to global cultural and educational progress.
Zhang Donggang echoed these sentiments, describing universities as hubs for the cultivation, preservation, and exchange of civilizations. He emphasized that the center’s establishment reflects the commitment to cultural collaboration and global understanding. He also noted that the center would help advance China’s "Three Global Initiatives" and set a benchmark for international academic collaboration.
Complutense University’s President Joaquín Goyache hailed the partnership as a transformative step in bilateral relations. He highlighted the center’s potential to enhance academic cooperation, youth exchange, and language and cultural programs, thereby building trust and mutual understanding between the two nations.
The inauguration was complemented by a new framework agreement between RUC’s School of Arts and Complutense University’s Faculty of Fine Arts. This partnership will promote mutual visits, talent cultivation, and academic development.
The China-Spain Center on Civilizational Exchange and Cooperation will focus on several key initiatives to foster deeper connections between the two nations. These include youth engagement programs such as summer schools, exchange projects, and dual-degree initiatives, designed to connect students through cross-cultural experiences, workshops, and youth forums. In terms of academic collaboration, the Scholars initiative will facilitate regular scholar exchanges, international conferences, and collaborative research platforms to strengthen academic ties. The center will also focus on knowledge innovation by addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and funding joint research projects, aiming to produce globally recognized academic work. Additionally, the center will promote cultural dialogue through research on China-Spain cultural history, classic text translation projects, and studies in literature and the arts to deepen mutual understanding between the two countries.
RUC has a longstanding tradition of collaboration with Spanish institutions, including partnerships with universities like Barcelona Autonomous University, Complutense University, and others. These efforts have encompassed academic exchanges, joint research, and cultural initiatives. The strategic of RUC emphasis on fostering civilizational exchange has also led to the establishment of similar centers in Greece, France, Hungary, and Zimbabwe. These centers contribute to global cultural dialogue, reinforcing the university's commitment to international education and cooperation.
The newly established China-Spain Center for Civilizational Exchange and Cooperation represents a pivotal step toward a shared future of innovation, understanding, and collaboration between China, Spain, and the world.
