Last Tuesday, 21st January, the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO) was represented at the eighth edition of the China Chair Awards by F. Álvaro Durántez Prados, Director of Institutional Relations at FUNIBER and professor at UNEATLANTICO. The ceremony was organised by the China Chair Group, made up of the China Chair Foundation, the China Chair Association and the Association for Chinese-Spanish Collaboration for Responsible Business Development (ACCEDER).
The aim of these awards is to recognise institutions, companies and individuals whose work has contributed significantly to strengthening and enhancing relations between Spain and China. In this edition, the merits of the University of Mondragón were highlighted in the Academic category, China Three Gorges Europe in the Business category, the Royal Theatre in the Institutional category and Larry Levene in the People category.
The event was attended by the Spanish ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Marta Betanzos, and the Chinese ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing. Delegates from the main Spanish political parties, businessmen, academics and representatives from various fields from both countries also took part. During his speech, the president of the China Chair, Marcelo Muñoz, recognised the work of the award winners for their contribution to strengthening bilateral relations. Muñoz, together with the former president of Croatia, Ante Simonić, is one of only two Europeans currently holding the title of Ambassador of Friendship with the Chinese People, an appointment granted by the Government of the People’s Republic of China in October 2024. This award was given to him for his outstanding career in promoting friendship and collaboration between Spain and China since 1978.