On April 15, 2026, Dou Xiankang, President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), met with a delegation led by Eloísa del Pino, President of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and Francisco Moreno, Vice President for International Relations.

Dou Xiankang extended a warm welcome to President del Pino and her delegation, and introduced the general profile of NSFC as well as its latest reform measures in deepening funding support for talents and promoting international cooperation. He emphasized that NSFC attaches great importance to China‑Spain scientific cooperation and exchanges, and stands ready to deepen strategic alignment with CSIC, expand substantive cooperation in areas such as strategic dialogue and young talent exchanges, so as to jointly promote the high-quality development of China‑Spain scientific cooperation.

President del Pino spoke highly of China’s achievements in basic research and applied basic research. She stated that CSIC is willing to maintain close communication and collaboration with NSFC, build diverse exchange platforms, and jointly advance progress in bilateral basic research. Subsequently, Vice President Francisco Moreno introduced the disciplinary layout, scientific research system and progress in international cooperation of CSIC.

Adrián Gutiérrez, Science and Technology Counselor of the Embassy of Spain in China; Fan Yingjie, Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of NSFC; Li Wencong, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of NSFC; and relevant staff from the Europe Division of the Bureau of International Cooperation attended the meeting.