From July 3rd to 5th, Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, accompanied by Spanish Ambassador to China, Marta Betanzos Roig, and Pan Feng, President of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council, visited China to attend the 8th Global Think Tank Summit. This summit, hosted by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, was themed “Working Together for a Better World Amidst Multiple Uncertainties”.
On 4 July 2024, Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Spain, met in Beijing with Mr. Ma Hui, Assistant-minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Ms. Marta Betanzos, Ambassador of Spain to China, and Mr. Pan Feng, President of ECECDC, were also present.
Mr. Zapatero spoke positively of the China–Spain comprehensive strategic partnership and emphasized Spain’s willingness to play an active role within the European Union to promote the healthy development of Europe–China relations. He stated that he advocates deepening mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation and opposes trade protectionism. Against the backdrop of a turbulent international situation, Spain attaches great importance to China’s international status and influence, and is willing to further expand channels for dialogue and areas of cooperation with China, uphold multilateralism, enhance coordination and cooperation in international and multilateral arenas, and jointly address global challenges.
Mr. Ma Hui noted that Spain is a country with significant influence and that former Prime Minister Zapatero has long been committed to promoting the development of China–Spain and China–Europe relations. China is willing to work with Spain to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen pragmatic cooperation across various fields, promote the healthy and stable development of China–Spain and China–Europe relations, and jointly make positive contributions to world peace, stability, and prosperity. Mr. Ma Hui also exchanged views on issues including the European Union’s proposed imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
On July 4, 2024, a delegation led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Spain, visited the Beijing China-Germany Industrial Park. The visit was accompanied by Cui Xiaohao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shunyi District Committee and District Mayor, as well as Pan Feng, President of Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC), and other relevant officials. During the visit, the delegation viewed a promotional video of the Beijing China-Germany Industrial Park and examined the planning and construction model of the park. They received a comprehensive briefing on the park’s overall planning and development, service functions, and key enterprise projects, and conducted an on-site visit to the production line of the Bosch Industry 4.0 Innovation Center. Throughout the tour, Mayor Cui Xiaohao introduced Shunyi District’s locational advantages, industrial strengths, and future directions for industrial cooperation, with a focus on China–Europe economic and technological collaboration. He expressed the hope that, by leveraging the international cooperation model of the China-Germany Industrial Park, Shunyi would further strengthen close cooperation with international organizations, facilitate the implementation of industrial projects, promote two-way flows of talent, technology, and projects, and achieve mutual development. Zapatero highly commended the achievements of the Beijing China-Germany Industrial Park in advancing technological innovation, industrial development, and fostering an international business environment. He noted that the park has established an efficient and open platform for communication and exchange in China–Germany (Europe) economic and technological cooperation, promoting in-depth collaboration in key areas such as technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and green development. As a bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe, ECECDC also plays an important role in advancing China–Germany (Europe) win-win cooperation. He expressed the hope that both sides will further strengthen collaboration, fully leverage their respective strengths and resources, jointly deepen China–Germany (Europe) economic and technological cooperation and development, and open a new chapter of mutual benefit and shared success.
Recently, a delegation led by Wu Zhengping, Deputy Director-General of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) Bureau, visited Spain to conduct economic and trade exchanges. During the visit, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Spain The two sides held in-depth discussions on further deepening China–Spain economic and trade cooperation and jointly advancing the preparation for the 7th China International Import Expo.
During the same period, the delegation successfully hosted the 7th CIIE Promotion Conference in Madrid, the capital of Spain. Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Spain; Wu Zhengping, Deputy Director-General of the CIIE Bureau; Carmen Jordán, Director of Innovation Industries at ICEX Spain Trade and Investment; Pablo López, Director of the Leading Brands of Spain Forum; and Li Feng, Deputy General Manager of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Europe) Ltd., attended the event and delivered speeches. Approximately 100 representatives from local business associations and enterprises participated in the promotion conference, engaging in exchanges on cooperation opportunities and sharing the benefits of the CIIE platform.
Remarks Delivered by Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing
Remarks Delivered by CIIE Deputy General Director Wu Zhengping
On the afternoon of May 21 local time, the China-Spain Business Conference was successfully held in Madrid. Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing, and Vice Chairman of CEATEC Pan Feng attended the meeting and delivered speeches. The conference announced the establishment of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council, with Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero serving as the founding Chairman, and Pan Feng as the President. More than 60 representatives from Chinese and Spanish enterprises attended the meeting.
