China opens its doors a little more. Since last December 1, citizens of six countries of the European Union (EU), including Spain, They do not require a visa for tourist visits of less than 15 days. It is a measure that will remain in place until November 30 of next year. If the trip is for work or studies, a visa will still be required, but the rate has been reduced from 60 to 45 euros. These are a sample of the measures that the Government of Xi Jinping, convinced that “the next economic miracle in the world will occur in China”, which “is an indispensable partner of the EU to respond to global challenges”, explained the acting consul general of that country in Barcelona, Hu Aimin, in an unusual meeting with the press aimed at enhance the image of a powerful and attractive economy for capital and leave behind the ‘procés’ stage. Along these lines, he has also explained the elimination of restrictions on foreign industrial investments.
Along these lines, as formulas to enhance Sino-Catalan relations, it is planned increase non-stop flights from Barcelona (currently there are 5 a week) and is prepared together with the Department of Business of the Generalitat For January 18, a meeting between Chinese companies established in Catalonia and Spanish companies. The consul has stated that relations with Catalonia are now based on the economy. There are 114 branches of firms from the Asian country in Catalonia, recalled the consul who, in turn, stressed that Spain, whose diplomatic relationship celebrates 50 years, is the EU’s fifth partner in China. In addition, there are about 100,000 Chinese citizens living in Catalonia.
Dialogue to reduce discrepancies
Hu Aimin has highlighted relations with the European Union (EU) as strategic and has shown the concern caused by the investigation launched by the European Commission into the Chinese aid to electric vehicle producers. “China opposes protectionism formulas,” he highlighted and defended dialogue as the way to reduce discrepancies.
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In fact, this issue has crossed paths in the negotiations of other joint business initiatives, which “will be known in the future.” The most notable is Chery car production in the old Nissan plant in the Free Trade Zone. He recalled that Chery executives have visited Barcelona, and that the Business Minister, Roger Torrent, has done the same with the brand headquarters. It is news in a “good way”, but he has predicted that it will be “a very long negotiation process because the investment will be” very important “.
Another line of action will be to increase next year Air China direct flights, once recovered, they were directed to Beijing. Looking ahead to 2024, the operator will add frequencies. This will facilitate the increase in Chinese tourists in the Catalan capital, where 70,000 have arrived this year, driven by the Air China connection, but also by the new air bridge with Shenzhen. There are also 4,000 Chinese students in Barcelona. The Chinese consulate hopes to open a “beneficial” stage for China and Catalonia, based on the tourism and investment, especially in sectors such as “vacation, biomedical or automobile”.