BILBAO, Spain, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Nestled in the heart of north Spain's Basque Region, Biscay has emerged as a hub of industrial innovation and cross-border collaboration, attracting global talent and fostering close ties with China through cutting-edge research and development.
One such story of international collaboration is that of Wang Jun, a Chinese scholar who arrived at the Aeronautics Advanced Manufacturing Center (CFAA) for a master's project and ended up staying for nearly eight years.
"I came here for a project during my Master's program, and after a year of study, I decided to pursue a PhD," Wang Jun told Xinhua. Now, he's engaged in several aeronautics manufacturing projects here.
Located in the Biscay Technological Park near Bilbao, CFAA is a collaborative research center focused on advanced manufacturing, digital innovation, and aeronautics. The center links the University of the Basque Country (UPV) with a consortium of industrial partners and receives support from the Biscay Provincial Government.
This model mirrors that of the nearby Automotive Intelligence Center (AIC), which provides integrated services combining research, industrial development, and business incubation. AIC has established strong ties with Chinese automotive and energy companies, including BYD, BAIC Group, and Chery Motors.
Beyond CFAA and AIC, other institutions in the region also boast strong Chinese connections. Tecnalia, Spain's largest center for applied research and technological development, is based in the same technology park as CFAA. With over 1,500 employees, Tecnalia operates across sectors such as digital transformation, sustainable mobility, energy transition, and health technology.
Its link to China is through EITRI, a joint venture based in Nanjing. "China's demand for R&D is growing rapidly," explained Yang Hai, an EITRI representative speaking via video call from Nanjing. "To succeed there, we knew we needed to be embedded. That's why we formed a joint venture with local investors and government support."
EITRI was launched in November 2019 and now employs 47 staff in China. According to Yang, the center's strength lies in its multidisciplinary capabilities. "We can consult experts in processes, robotics, AI, cybersecurity. That makes us unique - we offer complete solutions."
Biscay's willingness to embrace global partnerships and support innovation with both public and private funding has contributed to its strong economic standing. The province's unemployment rate stands at 8 percent, significantly lower than Spain's national rate of 11.36 percent, according to the latest figures from the Spanish Statistics Agency (INE).
A steady flow of skilled graduates from local educational institutions helps sustain this momentum, reinforcing Biscay's role as a gateway for technological cooperation and a beacon of cross-border innovation. ■
