Spain committed to strengthening cooperation with China: chamber of commerce

The manager of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in China is optimistic that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's current visit will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries and boost trade.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Sunday, Juan Manuel Reina Moreno, vice president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in China, said Sanchez's visit to China shows the country's commitment to cooperation with China. Moreno also serves as the general manager of CEPSA Chemical in Shanghai, a leading Spanish petrochemical company.

Prime Minister Sanchez arrived in Beijing on Sunday for an official visit that will last through Wednesday, during which Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet him, and separate talks with senior Chinese officials are expected.

The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, and co-host a series of events.

Highlighting that China has become Spain's large trading partner outside the European Union, Moreno said Spanish exports to China have increased significantly in recent years, especially in sectors including food, energy and technology, with more Spanish companies entering the Chinese market.

Sanchez's visit is expected to further expand ties between Spain and China in emerging industries, Moreno noted.

"The visit of Prime Minister Sanchez to China underscores Spain's commitment to stronger cooperation in key areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure and digitalization following a win-win approach. Spain is also focused on attracting investment in clean technologies, especially hydrogen development, where it has significant advantages and a strategic position. Energy has become a vital link between the two economies, especially Spain as the leading European partner for China in this sector," Moreno said.

Spain mainly exports pig meat, copper ore and packaged medicaments to China, while importing electric vehicles, batteries and semiconductors from China.

Moreno stressed that there is room for more cooperation in areas where Spain's exports can satisfy China's needs.

"I see great potential in several sectors. First, renewable energy is a very big opportunity as both countries focus on green technologies. Second, digitalization and smart infrastructure offer potential, while Chinese expertise could complement Spain's current development in AI. The food and agriculture sector also has strong prospects due to the Chinese demand for sustainability, especially high quality products. Lastly, R and D and innovation, particularly in biotechnology and chemicals, present opportunities for joint ventures and breakthroughs," he said.

Spain committed to strengthening cooperation with China: chamber of commerce

Spain committed to strengthening cooperation with China: chamber of commerce

Spain committed to strengthening cooperation with China: chamber of commerce

Seiya Matsuno, a Japanese scholar, on Tuesday donated a trove of wartime Japanese documents to the Guangdong Provincial Archives in China, marking the first appearance of original Japanese evidence detailing Imperial Japan's systematic forgery of Chinese currency in Hong Kong during its invasion of China.

The donated archives, authenticated by WWII historians at South China Normal University, include correspondence between Japan's War Ministry and the General Staff of its Expeditionary Forces in China.

They conclusively prove that Japanese troops looted the Kuomintang government's banknote printing machines in Hong Kong and mass-produced counterfeit currency as part of a calculated economic warfare strategy. The records specify the counterfeit bills' quantities, production sites, distribution channels and usage protocols.

Matsuno, a researcher at the International Peace Research Institute of Meiji Gakuin University in Japan and a distinguished professor at Heilongjiang International University, said that the fact that the Japanese army manufactured counterfeit banknotes for economic purposes can be verified for the first time with historical data.

"The fact that the Japanese army manufactured counterfeit banknotes for economic purposes has been revealed through the testimony of relevant personnel of the Japanese Army. Through the information disclosed this time, such fact can be verified for the first time with historical documentation, which is very important," Matsuno said.

"This was written by the aggressors themselves, which is tantamount to a confession of the Japanese invasion. So I think it has very important historical value for further in-depth disclosure of Japan's war crimes against China," said Xiao Zili, a history professor at South China Normal University.

Also on Tuesday, Matsuno, known for previously donating evidence related to Japan's Unit 731 and chemical warfare in China, also contributed a photo album from the Imperial Army's 104th Division, which participated in the invasion of Guangdong.

He shared research on Japan's "gas warfare" and "secret war" in southern China, and stressed the importance of learning from history to cherish peace.

The year of 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Scholar unveils documents verifying Japan's counterfeit-note warfare crimes in China

Scholar unveils document of Japan's counterfeit-note warfare crimes in China