Zaragoza strengthens ties with Jiaxing and brings together 30 local companies interested in China

Zaragoza City Council hosted a meeting this Friday with an institutional and business delegation from the 
Chinese city of Jiaxing, led by its governor, Chen Wei, and the mayor of Haining, Xu Honglian. The objective of the visit was to strengthen economic ties between the two cities, present the opportunities in the 
Chinese market, and stimulate interest among local businesses. A total of 30 Zaragoza companies participated in the event, convened to explore new avenues for development and cooperation in Asia.

Within the framework of the meeting, the Mayor of Zaragoza, Natalia Chueca, and Governor Chen Wei signed a 
new collaboration document that reinforces the agreement signed in June 2023. “Zaragoza has a 
clear vocation: to be the privileged gateway for Chinese companies wishing to expand in Europe,,” stated Chueca, who stressed that the city offers “competitive advantages, legal security, and political stability.” The Mayor expressed her confidence in the “potential of this relationship” and in the “opportunities that the future holds for us.”

The visit was part of a bilateral cooperation agenda that began last February, when a Zaragoza delegation toured five Chinese cities. On this occasion, representatives of multi-sector companies were able to experience firsthand the economic environment of Jiaxing and Haining . One of the firms with a prominent presence was TDG Group, which will open its first European headquarters next month in the Plaza industrial estate. Also participating was Fersa Bearings, which has had a plant in Jiaxing since 2011 and recently expanded its investment in the city with a new factory.

JIAXING SEEKS TECHNOLOGICAL ALLIANCES WITH ARAGONESE COMPANIES

For his part, Governor Chen Wei praised the similarities between Zaragoza and Jiaxing as cities “enriched by economic growth, cultural heritage, open trade, and green development .” He said, “Today we gather in Zaragoza to renew our friendship , pursue common goals, and formalize our sister city ties.” In his speech, he encouraged deeper collaboration in sectors such as “smart manufacturing, technology, R&D, education, aeronautics, and cultural exchanges,” with the goal of creating “a model of global partnership between cities”.

In addition to the institutional signing, the Chinese delegation spent several days in the Aragonese capital to gain a first-hand understanding of the local business ecosystem. They visited industrial facilities, held bilateral meetings with Aragonese companies, and explored investment opportunities in strategic sectors such as the automotive, logistics, renewable energy, and agribusiness industries.

Also present at the event were representatives of companies that participated in last winter’s trip to China, as well as executives from local business associations. Attendees expressed interest in exploring avenues for collaboration that would allow them to expand their presence in the Asian market, especially in areas such as 
Zhejiang Province, one of the country’s most dynamic industrial hubs, with growing ties to Europe and Aragon.

AN ALLIANCE WITH A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Jiaxing, with a metropolitan area of ​​over 5 million inhabitants, is located on the economic axis between Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Ningbo. It is a strategic enclave that has hosted more than 200 European companies and has received significant investment from Spanish companies. The business environment is geared toward high-value-added sectors such as technology, textile production, advanced chemicals, and electronics.

Haining, which is part of the same province, also stood out during the meeting for its strong industrial network, especially in the leather and home textiles sectors. The city has diversified its economy by investing in solar energy, new materials, and technological innovation, making it an attractive partner for Aragonese companies seeking to position themselves in global value chains.

The new agreement between Zaragoza and Jiaxing includes specific commitments such as promoting business exchanges, creating partnerships between educational centers and institutions, and establishing regular communication channels through their international departments. Governor Chen Wei’s signature formally strengthened the scope of the previous agreement and opened up new possibilities for collaboration between the two regions.

As a sign of institutional hospitality, Mayor Chueca offered symbolic gifts to the Chinese leaders: a print of the Volunteer Walkway by Aragonese painter Pepe Cerdá to Governor Chen Wei, and a silk scarf to the Mayor of Haining. These gestures have reinforced the cultural and diplomatic nature of a relationship that goes beyond the economic and is part of Zaragoza’s internationalization strategy as an open and globally connected city.