转自“上海经信委”

Deputy Mayor of Shanghai Chen Jie recently led a municipal delegation on a visit to Spain. On March 4 (local time), the “Invest in Shanghai Global Tour” series event, themed “Two Dynamic Cities, A Shared Future,” successfully convened an enterprise forum in Barcelona. The meeting was chaired by Chen Jie, with Chinese Consul General in Barcelona Meng Yuhong delivering a speech. Attendees included Cristina Serradell, Director of the International Trade Department at Catalonia Trade & Investment; Zhang Hongtao, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization; Shen Hong, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau; Fei Yuqing, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau; and Li Hui, Deputy District Governor of Pudong New Area.

The visit to Spain coincided with the grand opening of the 2025 World Mobile Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, where leading global enterprises in the mobile communications sector gathered to showcase the latest products and cutting-edge technological achievements. The Shanghai delegation engaged in in-depth exchanges with numerous domestic and international exhibitors on forward-looking topics such as digital economy transformation and AI technology innovation, promoting the accelerated market implementation of new technologies and products.

Deputy Mayor of Shanghai Chen Jie recently led a municipal delegation on a visit to Spain. On March 4 (local time), the “Invest in Shanghai Global Tour” series event, themed “Two Dynamic Cities, A Shared Future,” successfully convened an enterprise forum in Barcelona. The meeting was chaired by Chen Jie, with Chinese Consul General in Barcelona Meng Yuhong delivering a speech. Attendees included Cristina Serradell, Director of the International Trade Department at Catalonia Trade & Investment; Zhang Hongtao, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization; Shen Hong, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau; Fei Yuqing, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau; and Li Hui, Deputy District Governor of Pudong New Area.

The forum was attended by over 20 representatives from Spanish business associations, such as the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, and leading local enterprises across sectors including high-end manufacturing, automotive, biopharmaceuticals, advanced materials, and consumer goods. Participating companies included Danobat Group, Cepsa Química, Grifols, Gestamp, Mediacom, OAB Architecture, AplaUS, Seguridad Delta, Eckermann Group, El Corte Inglés, and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences – Fields Institute.

Chen Jie expressed his delight in engaging with Spanish political and business leaders to strengthen friendship and pursue shared development. He emphasized that Shanghai, as a frontline hub of China’s opening-up, remains steadfast in ensuring “development certainty” for foreign enterprises through a series of robust measures to expand high-level openness. In recent years, numerous foreign-invested enterprises have thrived in Shanghai, achieving remarkable success—a testament to the city’s vibrant market, efficient administration, and highly attractive policy support.

In 2024, Shanghai’s GDP surpassed the 5 trillion yuan milestone, marking a new stage in its economic strength. The city is advancing the construction of its “Five Centers” with full force, efficiently allocating global resources, and actively fostering high-level alignment between global demand and supply. Shanghai is committed to building bridges for foreign enterprises to access the Chinese, Asia-Pacific, and global markets. Concurrently, by continuously optimizing its world-class business environment, Shanghai helps foreign enterprises reduce costs and operate with ease, laying a solid foundation for global businesses to thrive in the city. Chen warmly invited Spanish companies to conduct on-site inspections, engage in cooperative exchanges, and actively invest in Shanghai, integrating into the city’s development journey to jointly seize opportunities and create a brighter future.

Meng Yuhong noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Spain Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, highlighting the vast potential for cooperation in economy, trade, technology, and culture. As a window of China’s opening-up, Shanghai—with its superior location, policies, talent, and market advantages—has become a key gateway for international enterprises entering the Chinese and Asian markets. Catalonia, as a major European innovation hub, excels in digital economy, green energy, life sciences, and other sectors, aligning closely with Shanghai’s modern industrial system. Spanish enterprises are encouraged to seize the opportunity to invest in Shanghai, fostering in-depth exchanges and synergistic development between Shanghai and Barcelona, as well as Catalonia, to lead high-quality cooperation between China and Spain.

Cristina Serradell stated that in recent years, bilateral relations between China and Catalonia have continued to deepen in terms of economic and trade cooperation. China is Catalonia’s third most important partner outside the European Union, with over 200 Chinese companies having entered the Catalan market. China is becoming one of the most significant sources of investment for Catalonia, and this trend continues to grow. At the same time, Catalonia is also increasing its efforts to “invest in China,” with more than 200 companies now investing there. The Catalonia Trade & Investment Agency is launching a “Trade and Investment” service program to continuously assist businesses in expanding and thriving in China. China, particularly Shanghai, boasts immense market potential and policy advantages, and there is anticipation for strengthened future cooperation with Shanghai to achieve mutual benefits.
During the symposium, representatives discussed their companies’ core business operations, their development experiences in China, and their intentions for future investment in Shanghai. They highlighted the significance of the Chinese market within their global strategies from perspectives such as investment, supply chain, procurement, and technological collaboration, and spoke highly of Shanghai’s market potential. The attending business representatives unanimously agreed that Shanghai is not only an optimal gateway for Spanish companies entering the Chinese market but also a crucial hub for global business expansion. They expressed their commitment to increasing investment in Shanghai and deepening cooperation in areas such as high-end manufacturing, biomedicine, green and low-carbon technologies, advanced materials, and fashion consumer goods.

Chen Jie listened attentively to the inputs from Spanish political and business representatives and responded collectively to their needs and suggestions. He emphasized that Shanghai remains committed to the principles of openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. He warmly welcomed Spanish companies to invest and establish a presence in Shanghai, utilizing the city as a strategic pivot for tapping into the Chinese market, expanding across the Asia-Pacific region, and connecting with the global economy. Chen expressed his hope to jointly write a new chapter in economic and trade collaboration between China and Spain.

Representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, the Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau, the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, the Shanghai Investment Promotion Center, as well as responsible officials from Pudong New Area, Xuhui District, and Qingpu District attended the meeting.