Launching ceremony of documentary "Charming Beijing" and cultural promotion activity with the theme of Beijing Central Axis held in Madrid, Spain

On December 14, 2023, local time, the launching ceremony of the documentary "Charming Beijing" and the cultural promotion activity with the theme of Beijing Central Axis was held in the Cultural Centre of Madrid, the capital of Spain. The event marked the official launch of the documentary "Charming Beijing" on the local Madrid TV, Galicia TV and Southern TV, which will enhance people-to-people communication and strengthen exchanges and mutual understanding. This event is guided by the Chinese Embassy in Spain, hosted by the Information Office of Beijing Municipal Government, and co-organized by Beijing Radio and Television (BRTV), Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and Madrid TV.

As the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain is approaching, the "Charming Beijing" cultural activity serve as a pragmatic cultural exchange and communication cooperation to promote in-depth understanding between China and Spain, explore international communication channels for the mainstream public in western Europe, and introduce the achievements of the Chinese capital city's development in the new era in the western European region. A photo exhibition with the theme of Beijing Central Axis and related cultural promotion were held at the site of the event, in order to present the culture value of Beijing Central Axis to local people.

Many local officials, cultural and media representatives were invited to attend this event. Cristina Menéndez Alvarez, head of the Regional Government of Madrid for Cooperation with the Central Government and the European Union, said in her speech that the friendship between China and Spain has been fully embodied through this "Charming Beijing" event. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain, but the friendship between China and Spain has spanned thousands of years. For more than a thousand years, the ancient Silk Road connected the civilizations and cultures of China and Europe. Since then, an interest in Chinese porcelain had been formed that still remains in Madrid, and in 2008, the Spanish cyclist David Barrionuevo crossed more than 12,000 kilometers between Madrid and Beijing by his bicycle to attend the Beijing Olympics, which is the best example of east-west exchanges.

He Yong, minister counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Spain, said that he was very happy to enjoy the unique charm of Beijing with friends as the Year of Culture and Tourism between China and Spain was coming to an end; he hoped that through this kind of exchanges, the two countries would have the opportunity to communicate more deeply; and he sincerely hoped that more tourists from Spain would visit Beijing and see the new look of the ancient China’s capital.