Catalonia to boost China ties with government office in Beijing

Catalan President Salvador Illa has announced plans to open a new Catalan government office in China.

Speaking to the media during his official visit to the country, Illa said the goal is to have the new government delegation in Beijing up and running before the end of the year.

Illa emphasized China's "very important role" on both the economic and geopolitical stage, and stressed the need for Catalonia to strengthen its presence in the region.

Catalonia already operates three trade and investment offices (ACCIÓ) in China – in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong – as well as a Catalan Tourist Board office.

The new government office aims to "reinforce" Catalonia's role in China and give it "greater standing," according to Illa.

The Catalan government currently has 21 international delegations around the world.

Officials say the intention is to open the Beijing office "as soon as possible," and initial steps have already been taken to launch the process.
 

To formally establish the delegation, approval is required from China's foreign ministry, which is said to view the proposal favorably, according to Catalan government sources.

Illa shared the plan with two senior Chinese officials during his visit on Friday: Wu Weihua, Vice Chair of the National People's Congress, and Yin Li, a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party.