A readers’ exchange activity on the Spanish edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V) was held in Madrid on October 6 under the theme “Dialogue Among Civilizations as a Driver of Shared Progress: Opportunities and Prospects for China-Spain Exchange.” The event drew more than 60 participants from the governments, universities, media outlets, think tanks and business communities of both countries.
A readers’ exchange activity on the Spanish edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V) themed “Dialogue Among Civilizations as a Driver of Shared Progress: Opportunities and Prospects for China-Spain Exchange” is held in Madrid on October 6, 2026.
Centering on some key themes in Volume V, including Chinese modernization, high-quality development, the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and key initiatives proposed by China, the event sought, through in-depth dialogue and discussion, to inform the Spanish public of the path, policies and achievements of Chinese modernization, while providing a platform to share ideas and strengthen people-to-people bonds.
Yao Jing, Chinese ambassador to Spain.
Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing addressed the readers’ exchange event from four aspects: Chinese modernization as a response to the defining questions of our time; high-quality development as a source of cooperation opportunities; high-standard opening-up as a driver of shared prosperity; and mutual learning among civilizations as a path to consensus. He noted that China-Spain relations are standing at a new historical starting point, and that both sides should seize the current favorable momentum, steadily expand converging interests, build broader consensus, and jointly contribute to a more peaceful, prosperous, open and beautiful world. He noted in particular that China’s continued pursuit of high-quality development is creating wider cooperation opportunities for all countries, Spain included. As facts have shown, he said, deeper mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Spain meets the shared expectations of both peoples and adds stability and certainty to the world economy.
Xie Gang, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG).
Vice President of China International Communications Group (CICG) Xie Gang said that the Spanish edition of Volume V of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China opens an important intellectual window for Spanish-speaking readers to understand the Communist Party of China, to understand China in the new era, and to understand Chinese modernization. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations – and especially since the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership in 2005 – bilateral trade has grown steadily and people-to-people exchanges have deepened, Xie said. The Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Spain (2025–2028) has highlighted priorities for cooperation in the years ahead, with broad prospects across many fields. Both sides, he said, should convert shared understanding into concrete action, deepen cooperation in economy and trade, green development, the digital economy and people-to-people exchange, and deliver more tangible benefits to both peoples. CICG, he added, will continue to advance publishing and communication cooperation with Spain through Spanish-language books, periodicals and multimedia products, helping Spanish readers better understand China in the new era and bringing the two peoples closer.
José Luis Centella, president of the Communist Party of Spain.
President of the Communist Party of Spain José Luis Centella said Volume V of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China reveals a philosophy of governance that brings together historical tradition, present-day realities and a long-term vision. China, he said, has entered a new stage marked by high-quality development, in which progress is measured not just by economic indicators but also by tangible improvements in people’s lives, narrowing of disparities, a better environment and greater opportunities. He stressed that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era places Chinese modernization in a global context – a modernization that pursues China’s own development while also contributing to a more peaceful and balanced world. The four global initiatives China has proposed – on development, security, civilization and governance – together with the Belt and Road Initiative, form important pathways for boosting global connectivity, narrowing development gaps and creating shared opportunities, bringing particular benefit to Global South countries, he said.
Marta Montoro, executive president of the Cátedra China Foundation.
Executive President of the Cátedra China Foundation Marta Montoro said the international environment is now marked by profound uncertainty, fragmentation and mistrust, with some narratives portraying the world as an arena of inevitable confrontation; it is precisely at such a moment that dialogue among countries and civilizations becomes valuable. Differences, she said, do not necessarily lead to confrontation, and multilateralism must not remain a slogan but be put into genuine practice. In her view, Volume V of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China allows readers to approach Xi Jinping’s thinking on governance and to grasp the intrinsic link between China’s modernization drive and the deep foundations of Chinese civilization. Spain and China, she stressed, do not need to think exactly alike in order to work together; what they need is to listen to and learn about each other, and to identify spaces where cooperation can turn differences into opportunities.
Fernando Lavinia-Richi, Spanish economist.
Spanish economist Fernando Lavinia-Richi said that understanding China’s five-year plans is essential to understanding its economic transformation. Technological innovation, he said, is the core driver of China’s growth and is opening space for Spanish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in high value-added sectors. He advised Spanish SMEs entering the Chinese market to focus on three things: a clear development strategy, reliable partners, and cross-cultural communication sustained through long-term engagement. He said in this way companies can draw on China’s growing international influence to integrate more deeply into global value chains and build durable cooperative ties.
The event also featured three thematic roundtables.
Spanish mayors at the readers’ exchange activity on the Spanish edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V) in Madrid on October 6, 2026.
The first, “New Opportunities for Local Cooperation with China,” brought together three Spanish mayors: Manuel Guillermo Fernández Lázaro-Carrasco, mayor of Gálvez (Toledo); Emilio Bravo Peña, mayor of Mora (Toledo); and Sagrario Gutiérrez, mayor of Guadamur (Toledo). They exchanged views on practical cooperation between China and Spain, focusing on trade, science and technology and cultural exchange, and explored viable ways to deepen two-way ties at the local level.
A roundtable discussion at the readers’ exchange activity on the Spanish edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V) in Madrid on October 6, 2026.
The second, “Understanding the Logic of China’s Development, Exploring Opportunities for Cooperation,” featured Zhang Hui, director of communication at the CICG Center for Europe and Africa (China Today); Georgina Higueras Rumbao, Spanish journalist and writer specializing in international relations and Asian affairs; and Juan Antonio, president of the Spanish Association of Catholic Entrepreneurs. Approaching the subject from the perspective of international communication, the three discussed how to present an objective and multi-dimensional picture of China to Spanish-speaking audiences, and examined the cooperation potential and development opportunities between China and Spain in trade and investment, the green economy, the digital economy and people-to-people exchanges.
Spanish university student representatives at the readers’ exchange activity on the Spanish edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V) in Madrid on October 6, 2026.
The third, “Building Bridges of Trust for China-Spain People-to-People Cooperation Through Youth Exchange,” featured Spanish university students Pedro Fernández, María Teresa Saiz Navalón and Felipe Collado Rojas, who shared their own stories of China. Speaking from a younger generation’s perspective, they recounted what they had seen and experienced firsthand, explained the distinctive role of young people in mutual learning among civilizations and friendly people-to-people exchange, and expressed a shared wish to sustain and deepen China-Spain youth exchange as a way of consolidating the popular foundation of bilateral friendship.
Yao Jing and Xie Gang present to some Spanish readers the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V).
During the event, Chinese representatives presented copies of the Spanish edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V) to Spanish guests.
CICG’s Vice President Xie Gang gives a copy of China Today to President of the Communist Party of Spain José Luis Centella, which features a story by Centella marking the 90th anniversary of the Long March, in Madrid on October 6, 2026.
On the sidelines of the event, Xie Gang also presented a copy of China Today to José Luis Centella, which features a story by Centella marking the 90th anniversary of the Long March.
The event was guided by CICG and the Chinese embassy in Spain, and hosted by the China International Book Trading Corporation.
