STORY: Mutual understanding leads to further China-Spain cooperation: official
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 18, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 19, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:10
LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Zona Franca de Barcelona with industrial, logistical and technological activity
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): PERE NAVARRO, Special Delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB)
3. various of Zona Franca de Barcelona with industrial, logistical and technological activity
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Catalan): PERE NAVARRO, Special Delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB)
5. various of Zona Franca de Barcelona with industrial, logistical and technological activity
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Catalan): PERE NAVARRO, Special Delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB)
7. various of Zona Franca de Barcelona with industrial, logistical and technological activity

STORYLINE:

Mutual understanding is the first step towards cooperation, Pere Navarro, special delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): PERE NAVARRO, Special Delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB)
"First, it's about understanding each other. Then, we can explore areas of collaboration. Working together means identifying what matters most to companies here and there and to those looking to establish a presence here and there."

Zona Franca de Barcelona, the free zone of Barcelona, spans 4.7 million square meters and is one of the largest and most dynamic industrial zones in Spain and Europe.

It is also home to a factory that has been producing vehicles since last year for a joint venture between Chinese automaker Chery and Spanish automaker Ebro.

Recently, the CZFB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Administrative Committee of the Qianhai and Shekou Area of Shenzhen in the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in logistics, transportation, and Industry 4.0 between the two regions.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Catalan): PERE NAVARRO, Special Delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB)
"We will soon have an additional 40,000 square meters dedicated to Industry 4.0 (factory). We're confident that many companies in China, particularly in the Shenzhen area, will be interested in establishing a presence here. They can set up innovation centers and collaborate with companies from different countries and technology sectors."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Catalan): PERE NAVARRO, Special Delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB)
"The whole world is now interrelated and so, for us, this relationship is very important because China is a country - and especially in areas like Shenzhen - that is clearly taking a position of leadership in the field of innovation. We see great potential in working together."

Covering more than 28 square kilometers, the Qianhai and Shekou Area of Shenzhen specializes in financial services, modern logistics, and technology services.

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