March 12, 2026. Shanghai- H. E. Marta Betanzos Roig, Ambassador of Spain to China, visited the CEIBS Shanghai campus today to engage in discussions with school leaders, faculty, and students on Spain-China relations, global business cooperation, and opportunities for deeper educational exchange.
Welcomed by CEIBS President Wang Hong, Co-President (European) Frank Bournois, Vice President and Co-Dean Zhu Tian, and Secretary of CPC Committee Ma Lei along with members of the school’s leadership team, the delegation also included Consul General of Spain in Shanghai Ambassador Luis Antonio Calvo Castaño, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Spanish Embassy Alfonso Gomez, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Consulate General of Spain in Shanghai Maria Simo, and Head of Agri-food, Digital Technology and Entrepreneurship at the Consulate Regino Serrano.
As a business school co-founded by the European Union and the Chinese government, CEIBS welcomed the Ambassador’s visit as a valuable opportunity to exchange views on the evolving economic ties between China and Spain, as well as on the role of international business education in fostering cross-border collaboration and cultivating globally minded leaders.
In her welcome remarks, CEIBS President Wang Hong highlighted the long-standing ties between CEIBS and Spain. “Over the past three decades, CEIBS has cultivated more than 200 Spanish alumni and facilitated nearly 500 Chinese and Spanish exchange experiences for students. It has also provided a platform for Chinese and Spanish entrepreneurs and alumni to connect, deepen their understanding of each other’s markets, and explore new opportunities for cross-border collaboration,” President Wang said.
She also emphasised that relations between China and Spain are entering a new phase of opportunity. “The mission of business education is not only to transmit knowledge and cultivate talent, but also to bridge cultural divides and build consensus for cooperation,” she said, adding that she hopes the exchanges between the two countries will continue to flourish.
“CEIBS is committed to facilitating friendship and cooperation between the two sides through business knowledge and promoting shared development through openness and collaboration.”
Ambassador Betanzos then delivered an address in which she reflected on her nearly four decades of public service, noting that interacting with entrepreneurs and business leaders had been an important source of inspiration throughout her career.
The ambassador shared insights into Spain’s historical role in global exchange and exploration, highlighting the country’s long tradition of openness and international engagement. From early maritime trade routes connecting continents to its participation in shaping early international legal frameworks, Spain has long played a role in facilitating global interaction and cultural exchange, she said.
Looking at the present day, Ambassador Betanzos described Spain as an open and dynamic economy which is deeply integrated into the international community. “Today, Spain is recognised for its strength in sectors including tourism, banking and financial services, automotive manufacturing, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals,” she said, adding that immigration, diversity, and equal gender participation in society have contributed to Spain’s economic vitality and social progress.
The event then moved to an interactive dialogue with an audience of CEIBS MBA students, faculty, and delegation members, moderated by Co-President Bournois, during which the students and other participants raised topics including Sino-Spanish exchange programmes, Chinese companies seeking to do business in Spain, Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystems and strategies amid the ongoing AI wave, responsible leadership, market access, and more.
In his closing remarks, Co-President Bournois thanked Ambassador Betanzos for her insightful and inspiring presentation, noting that building mutual understanding between regions takes time, and that even Europe itself took centuries of dialogue and cooperation to achieve the level of integration it enjoys today.
Highlighting the role of CEIBS in fostering such exchanges, Prof. Bournois said that the evening’s event had once again demonstrated the school’s unique position as a bridge between Europe and China. “Tonight, we have once again witnessed CEIBS playing a bridging role, connecting China with Spain and the European Union.”
As a leading international business school, CEIBS is committed to fostering ties between China, Europe, and the world. The Ambassador Betanzos’s visit underscores CEIBS’ role as a platform for meaningful exchange between Europe and China as well as between business and the highest levels of international diplomacy, highlighting its role as a convener of policymakers, business leaders, and scholars for the exchange of ideas and promotion of international cooperation.
