It introduced the third-party market cooperation as a new way for China to participate in international cooperation under the framework of the "the Belt and Road", emphasized its concept of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and the importance of complementary advantages between Chinese and foreign enterprises. The article points out that China has signed third-party market cooperation agreements with 14 countries, but there is insufficient research on Spain. Therefore, this article takes Spain as the second party of cooperation and Africa as the region of cooperation, exploring the motives, difficulties, and approaches of cooperation between China and the West in third-party markets in Africa, aiming to provide a path reference for China to promote third-party market cooperation.

1、 The motivation for China and Spain to carry out third-party market cooperation in Africa

The cooperation between China and Spain in third-party markets in Africa is driven by their strong willingness to cooperate and close economic relationship. Under the framework of the "the Belt and Road", the two countries have shown a positive attitude towards cooperation. Spain regards the "the Belt and Road" as an important development opportunity. The two sides reached a consensus at the political level to promote enterprise cooperation in Africa and other regions. In terms of economic and trade relations, China has become Spain's largest trading partner outside the European Union, with the total import and export volume of the two countries increasing year by year, demonstrating the resilience of economic and trade cooperation. Both parties complement each other in terms of resource endowment and comparative advantages, providing impetus for third-party market cooperation. The development strategies of China and Spain are in line with the development needs of Africa, with close trade links between Central and West Africa. Africa's economic growth, demographic dividend, natural resources, and improved business environment make it a potential region for third-party market cooperation. The development needs of Africa, especially infrastructure construction, provide vast space for cooperation between China and Spain.

2、 Progress of China Spain third-party market cooperation in Africa

China and Spain have made positive progress in third-party market cooperation in Africa, with both companies carrying out a series of cooperation projects in Africa, such as the Congo (Kinshasa) Inga III hydropower station and the Moroccan solar thermal power station. These projects not only reflect the cooperation between the two companies in infrastructure construction, energy and water conservancy engineering, but also highlight the importance attached to low-carbon, environmentally friendly and green industries. The cooperation methods mainly include engineering cooperation and investment cooperation, demonstrating the complementary advantages of both companies in production capacity, infrastructure, new energy technology, and management and operation. To promote cooperation, the governments of China and the West have established cooperation mechanisms, including holding seminars, establishing enterprise advisory committees, and signing memorandums of understanding, aimed at strengthening communication and cooperation among enterprises, promoting policy coordination, and project cooperation. The establishment of these cooperation mechanisms is of great significance for deepening the economic and trade relations between the two countries and carrying out third-party market cooperation.

3、 The dilemma of third-party market cooperation between China and Spain in Africa

The third-party market cooperation between China and Spain in Africa faces multiple challenges, including changes in the international landscape, competition and instability, unequal economic and trade relations, and limited competitiveness of Spain in Africa. The changes in the balance of international power, the trend towards anti globalization, intensified technological competition, social inequality, and the complexity of the international security environment have an impact on China's international cooperation. The competition in third-party market cooperation in Africa has intensified, with high homogeneity of projects, intertwined political and economic risks, and an unstable business environment. Spain's trade deficit with China has widened, social instability has risen, and far right forces have emerged, affecting the economic and trade relations between China and the West. Spain's trade and investment in Africa are concentrated in North Africa, with limited overall competitiveness, making it difficult to compete with traditional trading partners such as the UK and France. These factors limit the development space for cooperation between China and Spain in third-party markets in Africa.

4、 The Path of Third Party Market Cooperation between China and Spain in Africa

Explored the sustainable development path of third-party market cooperation between China and Spain in Africa. Firstly, the importance of strengthening the strategic alignment between China and the West and establishing a cooperation mechanism was emphasized, and it was pointed out that the active promotion of the government and the participation of enterprises are key. Secondly, the necessity of precise and deep cultivation in cooperation areas and fields was proposed, with a focus on North Africa, West Africa, and the Sahel region, and deepening cooperation in infrastructure, agricultural development, water sanitation, energy, and other fields. In addition, the importance of deepening cooperation with the European Union and strengthening regional international coordination was discussed to optimize trade structure and enhance competitiveness. Finally, it is pointed out that through international coordination, Spain can form groups with other countries to cooperate with China in non third-party markets, in order to alleviate competitive pressure and promote cooperation processes.

5、 Conclusion

China actively integrates into the world economy, strengthens cooperation with developed and developing economies, and cultivates new driving forces for global development. Third party market cooperation is integrated into the "the Belt and Road" initiative's cooperation concept of "mutual consultation, joint construction and sharing", and win-win results are achieved through complementary advantages and demand docking. In a complex international environment, promoting the construction of the "the Belt and Road" requires China to explore appropriate development paths. China and Spain's third-party market cooperation in Africa will help accelerate Spain's economic recovery, promote African development, increase mutual trust between countries, and maintain a diverse and stable international economic pattern and economic and trade relations. This is of great significance for China to expand institutional openness, enrich the choice of partners, and promote the high-quality development of the "the Belt and Road".