Spanish universities are actively working with China, opening new campuses, joint institutes, and partnership programs. In recent years the scale of this cooperation has grown many times over: Spain wants to interact more closely with the Celestial Empire's research and technology centers, take a more active part in international scientific projects, and increase educational migration.
- Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) has quite recently opened the Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute in the city of Hangzhou (with support from Beihang University). This is considered the first permanent presence of a Spanish university in China! The educational programs are in English, the fields are mostly engineering and AI-related, and both bachelor's and master's degrees are available. 400 students have already been enrolled. Rector José E. Capilla noted that the campus opening is the obvious result of more than 30 years of cooperation with Chinese universities.
- University of Barcelona plans to open a new campus together with Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) — the HIT-UB Joint College will be located in Shandong province, in eastern China. The plan is for a university strong in engineering and technology, with master's programs in analytical chemistry and marine sciences, among others, currently being developed.
- In 2025, Universidad Complutense de Madrid opened the WUST-Madrid Complutense Institute in Wuhan (together with Wuhan University of Science and Technology). The first intake numbered 300 students, with specialties including AI, data analysis, and applied statistics.
Why Spanish universities have become so active
European science policy as a whole is aimed at technological development, at "turning" fundamental theoretical research into real applied, practical solutions. In particular, this concerns priority areas: sustainable development, medicine and healthcare, and modern technology. To implement these plans, it is necessary to work with institutions that have strong engineering and technological expertise — and this is where China emerges as a very strong, promising, and qualified partner. China is one of the world leaders in technological development, in the volume of scientific research, and in international competitiveness.
The location of campuses in strong technology hubs (such as Hangzhou) gives universities a boost to expand research projects and strengthen ties with real companies, making it possible to take into account the needs of employers and changes in the labor market.
Security issues are considered separately
However, the traditional confrontation between East and West has its echoes. Strategically sensitive technologies are forcing EU institutions to think through partnerships as "selective and responsible" and to maintain research security. That said, Chinese research centers are also interested in this.
