"China is becoming increasingly popular in Europe," Antonio Carmona, president of the Spain-China Friendship Association, said in a recent interview with South in Guangzhou. "I see opportunities for cooperation in every sector, absolutely every sector."
Carmona made these remarks as the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries marks its 70th anniversary in 2026. He said the association plays an important role in China's international engagement and that cooperation between friendship organizations can help deepen China's ties with Spain and the rest of Europe.
"China is now an example for the world," he said. He added that Spain can draw on China's experience in economic and technological development while expanding bilateral cooperation in education, culture and other areas.
Building bridges between China and Spain
The Spain-China Friendship Association has 507 members, according to Carmona. Its board includes representatives from across Spain's political spectrum as well as prominent business figures.
Carmona described the association as Spain's leading organization dedicated to relations with China. "We are truly delighted to serve as a bridge in relations between China and Spain," he said.
Carmona said China's economic development can offer lessons for Spain's education system, while its technological advances can inform efforts to strengthen Spain's own tech sector.
He specifically called for greater technology exchanges between China and Europe, saying deeper cooperation will bring the two sides closer and contribute to shared growth and prosperity.
Exchanges that "gain the future"
Education and cultural exchanges should form a central part of the relationship, Carmona said.
He said several agreements had been reached to facilitate visits by Chinese students to Spanish universities and help Spanish students and other young people study in China.
The Spain-China Friendship Association also plans to promote Spanish flamenco to Chinese audiences, while Chinese opera has long been presented and is still being showcased to audiences in Spain. Carmona said exchanges between cultural practitioners can build connections beyond government and business.
He also called for more visits between the two countries, saying closer contact allows people to share ideas and benefit from each other's development.
"When businesses connect, we benefit today," Carmona said. "But when we connect our universities, cultures and young people, we gain the future."
Reporter | Liu Xiaodi
Video editor & cover designer | Pan Jiajun
Video script & text | Liu Xiaodi
