Chongqing - China's Chongqing and Spain's Extremadura region are moving to deepen business ties, with electric vehicles and renewable energy emerging as the main areas for cooperation.
Officials from the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding during an industrial cooperation meeting in Chongqing on September 14, laying the groundwork for companies to pursue new investment and business partnerships.
Officials from China and Spain signed a memorandum of understanding during an industrial cooperation meeting in Chongqing on September 14. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
“Chongqing has built strong capabilities in new energy vehicles, digital factories, the industrial internet and AI-powered manufacturing,” said Guillermo Santamaría Galdón, Extremadura's regional minister for the Economy, Employment and Digital Transformation. He said the city’s industrial strengths had reinforced Extremadura’s confidence in deeper cooperation.
For Extremadura, cooperation with Chongqing offers a way to connect its renewable energy advantages with a mature automotive and technology ecosystem. It seeks to diversify its economy by developing clean energy, electric mobility and battery-related industries, while Chongqing provides experience in vehicle manufacturing, supply chains and intelligent production.
Located in southwestern Spain along the Portuguese border, Extremadura offers a strategic gateway to Spain, Portugal and the wider European market, supported by a strong agricultural foundation. Officials said these advantages could complement Chongqing’s manufacturing strengths and open new opportunities for cooperation in green mobility and related industries.
Chongqing hopes to help local automakers expand their presence in Spain by developing sales and after-sales service networks and building closer links with European suppliers, said Qian Lijuan from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology.
Extremadura, in turn, is looking to attract investment in intelligent connected vehicles and auto parts. The official said the regional government could assist Chongqing companies entering the European market with investment consulting, site selection and policy support.
Renewable energy is another promising area. The two sides discussed possible cooperation in sodium-ion batteries, solar power, energy storage and green hydrogen. Chongqing also proposed exploring projects involving hydrogen fuel-cell commercial vehicles and hydrogen production from organic waste.
Galdón said Extremadura welcomes Chongqing companies interested in areas such as renewable energy development, energy storage, equipment manufacturing and digital energy management.
He added that future cooperation could move beyond exchanges toward concrete projects, connecting Chongqing’s industrial capabilities with Extremadura’s regional development needs and creating new opportunities in Europe’s green transition.