The Centre for East Asian Studies is an independent research centre at the Autonomous University of Madrid.

​

Established by the Autonomous University of Madrid in 1992, it is the first institution of its kind to be created in Spain. Its aim is to promote research and teaching on the different social, cultural, economic and political aspects that characterise the countries of East Asia, with particular emphasis on China and Japan.

Until its creation, academic activities related to China and Japan, which had been carried out at the Autonomous University of Madrid since 1985, were confined to different areas of knowledge within the social sciences and humanities. With the Centre for East Asian Studies, a pioneering institution has emerged that is capable of sponsoring and coordinating such efforts, while also serving as a point of reference for both the Spanish university community and the country's public and private entities as a whole.

Since the establishment of the Centre for East Asian Studies, the aim has been to obtain the means to adopt a basic infrastructure, coordinate all available human resources and initiate academic and research activities on the culture, society and economy of China and Japan. Subsequently, two degree programmes were launched: the Undergraduate Diploma in Chinese Language and Culture and the Undergraduate Diploma in Japanese Language and Culture, which were pioneers in Spanish universities. Later, the Bachelor's Degree in East Asian Studies, a second-cycle degree, was introduced. Due to various changes in the curriculum, the aforementioned degrees are no longer offered.

Currently, the Centre for East Asian Studies has research and teaching staff specialising in China and Japan who collaborate with various organisations such as the Ibero-American Research Network in East Asian Studies and the editorial team of its academic journal, as well as others such as the Japan Foundation, with which it collaborates in conducting the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test or Nōken.

The CEAO acts with functional autonomy to promote both research and training on the different social, cultural, economic and political aspects that characterise East Asian countries, with particular reference to China, Japan and Korea. The Centre sponsors and coordinates all efforts that facilitate cooperation with East Asia, both within the university community and among public entities and civil society as a whole, while providing technical advice within its area of expertise.