"There is an agreement between Catalonia and Guangdong since 2003. Now the idea is to see how we can update this relationship and this cooperation," noted Jaume Duch Guillot, Minister for European Union and Foreign Action, Government of Catalonia in Spain, in an exclusive interview with South.
A delegation led by him rounded off their two-day visit to Guangdong on March 23. After visits to a local sewage treatment plant and travel highlights such as Guangdong Museum, Canton Tower, and Yongqing Fang, the Catalan official expressed a desire to foster bilateral ties through more collaborations.
Jaume Duch Guillot (C) strolls at Yongqing Fang in Guangzhou on March 23, 2026.
A province of richness, vitality and dynamism
During his first visit to Guangdong, Guillot underscored that this particular province is especially critical due to its richness, vitality, and dynamism.
Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong with a population of approximately 130 million, is a very modern and well-developed city, as he observed.
"It's quite impressive to see how you can organize the lives of more than 18 million people in such a nice way," added Guillot.
During his in-person visit, the Catalan official perceived the mix of old and new elements in the capital, which he thinks is important, as it serves to remind people of its past and traditions while showcasing its modernity and technology with high hopes for the future.
Jaume Duch Guillot (L) listens to the introduction at Guangzhou Lijiao Sewage Treatment Plant in Guangzhou on March 23, 2026.
Exchanges, collaborations have become more vital than years ago
Guangdong accounts for approximately 10% of China's GDP annually, while Catalonia's GDP contributes about one-fifth of Spain's. The Catalan official expressed that there are many fields in which the two sides can collaborate in the future.
He detailed two domains: clean energies and electric vehicles.
"Catalonia, but mainly Spain, is very advanced in the use of clean technologies," Guillot said. He noted that around 60% of Spain's electricity comes from these new technologies, such as solar, wind, and other sources of energy.
"We see that Guangdong also has very modern technology in this area. So we can combine the fact that we are very developed in these topics with the new technologies you bring," he added.
Jaume Duch Guillot (C) visits Guangzhou Lijiao Sewage Treatment Plant in Guangzhou on March 23, 2026.
Guillot also highlighted the automotive industry, especially electric vehicles, as a key area for cooperation between Catalonia and Guangdong.
He told a South reporter that Catalonia is now focusing significantly on this industry. There are at least two major firms in Catalonia producing these new electric cars, one of which is already cooperating with China.
Given the robust production of electric cars here, "we have to see how this can progress. Batteries could complement the automotive industry," Guillot added.
Additionally, he mentioned other areas that the two sides could develop, such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and biological research.
Jaume Duch Guillot visits Guangzhou Lijiao Sewage Treatment Plant in Guangzhou on March 23, 2026.
"Nowadays, this is probably more important than it was some years ago," the Catalan official underscored.
When people look at what is happening worldwide, with all these wars, confrontations, and trade tensions between different countries, Guillot believes it is essential to defend multilateralism.
"Sometimes to do this, what you need is to create good links between people, between societies—not just governments, not just administrations, but society as a whole," he added.
Reporter | Zhang Ruijun
Video & Poster | Pan Jaijun
Photo | Zhang Ruijun, Pan Jaijun
