Food is the quickest path to friendship, an old Chinese proverb says, and for a month Madrid has enjoyed some great food for a good cause.

The 'China Taste' culinary event saw over a dozen top Chinese restaurants in the Spanish capital create unique tasting menus to try and demonstrate the endless variety of Chinese food.

Authentic Chinese food

"We wanted to use 'China Taste' to open people's minds and experience authentic Chinese food," says Lulu Zheng, owner and manager of Mitiko restaurant in central Madrid. "China is so big and the culture of food is so beautiful." 

Mitiko, like the other restaurants involved, donated one euro ($1.08) from each special spring menu sold to the Spanish Red Cross. 

A total of $4,442 was raised over 40 days, with the money going to the Red Cross childrens' program.

Jose Miguel Lara is director of communications for the Red Cross in Spain and explains that "all funds raised in China Taste will be used in our children's programs.

"We're very proud to collaborate with China's community in Madrid," he continues, "they have been helping the Spanish Red Cross for many years."

For Lulu Zheng, it was a pleasure to help programs that benefit children at risk of social exclusion.

"I have a baby, I know what it's like to be a mother," she says. "It was a joy to be able to participate in a project like this."

Important year for China-Spain relations

This was the sixth edition of 'China Taste,' but the first since the pandemic. And as the year 2023 also marks 50 years of official diplomatic relations between Spain and China, '50 Years of Friendship' events have been happening across the country. 

In Seville's Chinese Cultural Center, an evening of entertainment included local lion and dragon dancers along with Chinese flamenco guitarists and dancers.

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Chinese-Spanish female artists' collaboration

In Madrid a joint art exhibition showcased 47 Chinese and Spanish female artists, while in Barcelona a number of events also put Chinese culture center-stage.

Over a dozen Terracotta Warriors are also set to arrive from China and will go on display in Alicante, which is a huge boost for the local tourist economy.

Spain-China economic relationship

The economic relationship between Spain and China has grown exponentially over the past 50 years too, with joint trade now worth over $50 billion annually.

Spanish exports to China have doubled since 2017 with star products like Spanish ham, olive oil and wine becoming established in the Chinese market. 

Fifty years on, China and Spain have a closer relationship than ever, and the pioneering 'China Taste' gastronomic event is one small initiative helping to build stronger ties through a love of fine food, where the two cultures coincide.

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