Song Yongxiang, Party secretary of Binzhou city in Shandong province, led a delegation to visit Spain, the Netherlands and France from June 6 to 15.

During the trip, the delegation met with government officials and representatives from each country's chambers of commerce, associations, enterprises and overseas institutions.

The aim of the trip was to enhance industrial cooperation and inject new impetus into Binzhou's opening-up to the world.

Industrial cooperation

During the visit to Gestamp, a Spanish automotive component manufacturing and design company, Song introduced Binzhou's industrial development and key projects in manufacturing, and held discussions with executives regarding cooperation in high-end aluminum and new energy vehicles.

In the Netherlands, Song exchanged views with executives from enterprises like Royal Ingredients Group, Stork and Nouryon and sought to further strengthen ties in fields such as trade, modern agriculture, technology and projects. 

During his visit to France, Song reached a consensus regarding cooperation between Binzhou-based Befar Group and French company Arkema. He said he is looking forward to advancing cooperation between the two enterprises in technology, investment and trade. The Party secretary also witnessed the signing of a cooperation project between Decathlon and the overseas production base of Yuyue Home Textile Co Ltd. 

Expanding into overseas markets

In Alkmaar, the Netherlands, Song and his delegation visited Airblast B.V. to discuss issues such as exploring markets and establishing safer and more stable industrial supply chains.

The delegation also visited the overseas warehouse of Binzhou-based Skyrainbow•Sinower in France.

In Strasbourg, France, Song exchanged views with officials from the Consulate-General of China in Strasbourg regarding cooperation in various fields and ways to facilitate the development of the dual-circulation development pattern.

Win-win solutions

Song held talks with the mayor of Valencia, Spain to deepen relations in fields such as government-to-government exchanges, economy, trade, cultural communication and people-to-people visits.

In Hague, the third-largest city in the Netherlands, Song met with representatives from the Dutch Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The two sides agreed to jointly promote trade investment and economic cooperation between Dutch and Binzhou enterprises.