Answer:
Asia is a heterogeneous continent, with a great diversity of levels of economic development, cultural traditions and social and political models. The increase in its population and the incorporation of millions of people into its productive activity, consumption and global economic networks are probably the most striking case of power transfer from the Western world to the emerging countries since the end of the 19th Century.
Today, the region is home to more than half the world's population and produces a third of our planet's wealth. It is predicted that by 2050 more than half of global production will come from this continent. Moreover, Asia is a leading centre of science, technology and innovation, with a global weight that will grow quantitatively in the coming years.
Owing to its very size and dynamism, Asia is a continent from which no country in the world that intends to play a leading role in contemporary global dynamics can be absent. Therefore, Spain's commitment to an increasingly better insertion in the political, economic, scientific and social dynamics that have Asia at their centre makes it necessary for Spain to strengthen its presence in the region and to equip itself with the instruments of analysis and action adapted to the new realities in Asia and the Pacific Region that will allow us to reinforce results in all areas.
Inauguration of 14th meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Asia-Europe Cooperation Forum (ASEM), in Spain (2019). Photo: MAEC
With this aim, in January 2018 the Strategic Vision for Spain in Asia 2018-2022 was approved, it analyses recent developments in Asia and Spain, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the coming years. It also makes a series of recommendations to the Public Administrations to update Spain’s foreign policy in the region.Spain has also established relations with East Asia one of the pillars of its foreign policy.