STORY: Barcelona committed to boosting ties with China: deputy mayor
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 2, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 4, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:42
LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of street views in Shenzhen and Shanghai
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): JORDI VALLS, Barcelona's Deputy Mayor for Economy
3. various of street views in Shenzhen and Shanghai
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): JORDI VALLS, Barcelona's Deputy Mayor for Economy
5. various of street views in Spain
6. SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): JORDI VALLS, Barcelona's Deputy Mayor for Economy
7. various of street views in Shanghai

STORYLINE:

"Barcelona backs China" is the main message behind a fresh round of commercial missions to the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Shanghai, according to Barcelona's Deputy Mayor for Economy.

Jordi Valls led a business delegation to the cities in the second week of July.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): JORDI VALLS, Barcelona's Deputy Mayor for Economy
"Barcelona supports Asia and China. With this trip, we visited Shanghai and Shenzhen. We also aim to strengthen ties with other leading Chinese cities that can significantly contribute to Barcelona and Europe."

Shenzhen and Barcelona signed a sister cities memorandum three years ago, while next year will mark 25 years since Shanghai and the Spanish city formalized an institutional relationship.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Catalan): JORDI VALLS, Barcelona's Deputy Mayor for Economy
"Despite having two distinct cultures, almost like two different worlds, we share a mutual interest in navigating the inevitable sea of globalization. This strengthens the relationship of trust between Asia, these Chinese cities, and Barcelona, which is essential for us."

Barcelona is one of Spain's major tourist destinations, and the Spanish tourism board Turespana has planned a series of marketing sessions to promote Spain as a tourist destination in Shanghai this November.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Catalan): JORDI VALLS, Barcelona's Deputy Mayor for Economy
"Asian tourism particularly appeals to us because these tourists often seek more than just sun and sand. They are interested in cultural tourism, exploring a city deeply, and learning about its culture. In this sense, it represents high-quality tourism."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Barcelona, Spain.
(XHTV)