Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce launched a four-day institutional and business mission to Shanghai, China, on 21 June. Deputy Mayors Raquel Gil and Jordi Valls are leading a delegation of 16 Catalan companies. They aim to strengthen economic ties and explore new investment opportunities.
The mission, running until 24 June, seeks to attract high-value investment and promote Barcelona's strategic sectors. It involves collaboration with ACCIÓ, the Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation, Port de Barcelona, Turisme de Barcelona, and the Air Route Development Committee (CDRA). Sixteen Catalan companies and start-ups from sectors like information technology, artificial intelligence, automotive, construction, finance, and biomedicine are participating. These companies include Roka Furadada, Ficosa, FI Group, Borsub International, Toda & Nel-lo, Torres, Banc Sabadell, Roca, Grifols, Almirall, Natana Cosmetics, Oliver Pou, Pharmacelera, Cooling Photonics, Onecareai, and Nema Health. They will attend networking events and activities designed to attract investment and foster commercial relationships with China.
Barcelona Delegation Seeks Investment
Deputy Mayor Raquel Gil, responsible for Social Rights, Economic Promotion, Employment, Feminisms, and Democratic Memory, began her agenda on 21 June. She visited the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre to understand the city's urban challenges and projects. On 22 June, Gil spoke at a major economic promotion event with the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. This event, organised by China Construction Bank, presented Barcelona's assets and strategic projects to attract investment. Gil also visited the Pushang Jide market, a key fresh produce market.
On 23 June, Gil will participate in an investment promotion meeting with Shanghai companies, organised with CCPIT Shanghai (China Council for the Promotion of International Trade). Gil will also lead a delegation meeting with China Eastern Airlines, which will start a direct route from Barcelona to Shanghai in autumn 2025. Her final day, 24 June, will include an institutional meeting with Shanghai City Council. It will also feature business visits and a promotional event for the Barcelona-Shanghai green and digital goods corridor between the two ports. ACCIÓ supported this event. The two ports recently signed an agreement to help decarbonise trade exchanges.
Deputy Mayors' Agendas in Shanghai and Wenzhou
Deputy Mayor Jordi Valls, responsible for Economy, Housing, Finance, and Tourism, started his trip on 21 June in Wenzhou. Wenzhou is known as China's private economy capital and the primary origin of Barcelona's Chinese community. Valls visited the Shuomen Ancient Port Ruins and the Wenzhou Garden Expo Park. On 22 June, he visited Wenzhou's Eye Valley, a biotechnology and ocular health centre. He also held an institutional meeting with Wenzhou City Council officials. Valls planned to visit the Data Security Hub, a centre for digital economy and secure data processing.
From 23 June, in Shanghai, Valls will visit Huawei's Lianqiu Lake R&D Centre. He will also participate in the Mobile World Congress Shanghai opening ceremony. On 24 June, Valls will attend various events at the congress. These include the Barcelona-Catalonia Business Talks, organised by Barcelona City Council and ACCIÓ. He will also join the Digital Leaders Program, organised by GSMA. These events will promote Barcelona as an innovative and technological city. The Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation coordinated the Chinese MWC programme.
Deepening 25 Years of Barcelona-Shanghai Ties
This mission forms part of the Barcelona Business Bridge programme. This initiative, from Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, builds economic and institutional links. It offers companies personalised business agendas, visits, and post-mission follow-up. The first edition took place in Guadalajara and Mexico City in November 2025. This Shanghai mission is the second edition. In June 2024, Deputy Mayor Jordi Valls met with Vice Mayor Hua Yuan in Shanghai. They aimed to reinforce institutional and economic ties between the two cities.
The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of Barcelona's twinning with Shanghai, established in 2001. This relationship has evolved from courtesy diplomacy to a strong economic partnership. Hundreds of companies now operate in both markets. A digital maritime corridor exists between the two cities' ports. Barcelona also invited Shanghai as the first Asian guest city for its La Mercè festival in 2026.
Growing Economic Links and Community
Barcelona's Chinese population has grown significantly. In 2001, approximately 2,300 Chinese residents lived in Barcelona. This number now stands at around 22,300. The cities also have between two and three direct daily flight connections. In 2024, Catalan exports to China reached €1.829 billion. Imports totalled €13.829 billion, with 1,252 regular exporting companies.
Catalonia receives 14.6% of all Chinese investment in Spain, amounting to €177.6 million. Catalonia invests €1.808 billion in China, representing 89% of all Spanish investment there. The region hosts 80 Chinese parent companies and 114 subsidiaries. Meanwhile, 165 Catalan parent companies and 241 subsidiaries operate in China.
The mission aims to deepen these established ties and foster new collaborations. Barcelona seeks to solidify its position as a key European gateway for Chinese investment and trade. The upcoming La Mercè 2026 invitation for Shanghai further highlights the growing cultural and economic bond between the two cities.
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Originally published by Barcelona City Council Press Room. Read original article.
