Jordi Valls

Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

BARCELONA is looking forward to expanding the scope of the memorandum of understanding with Shenzhen to further their shared goals as sister cities, said Jordi Valls, deputy mayor of Barcelona.

As Shenzhen and Barcelona mark the third anniversary of their sister city relationship, the fruits of their exchanges and collaboration are evident in the realms of business, technology, and innovation, according to Valls.

Now, the partnership has evolved to focus on fostering a deeper understanding between the two cities and their cultures and using technology to enhance city management and the quality of life for their citizens, the deputy mayor of Barcelona said.

“For us the most important focus is not only in business, but at the same time to understand each other better and how the cities can collaborate in order to improve the quality of life for their citizens,” Valls told Shenzhen Daily during an exclusive interview yesterday.

“The two cities are not only exchanging information as sister cities. I hope we expand the scope of the memorandum of understanding,” said Valls.

According to Valls, Shenzhen, renowned for its technological prowess, has been a key player in introducing technology to improve city management, particularly in areas such as mobility, civil protection, and environmental sustainability.

Barcelona, also an innovation-driven city, has provided a platform for Chinese companies to showcase their technological products in Europe. Important tech events like the Mobile World Congress and the Integrated Systems Europe exhibition have been instrumental in this regard, serving as a platform for Chinese innovation on the global stage.

The partnership has also seen the expansion of cooperation into new sectors, including commercial displays, energy, decarbonization, and electric mobility.