Hangzhou and Valencia sign a memorandum of understanding on friendly exchange and cooperation on Sept 18. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Valencia in Spain signed a memorandum of understanding on friendly exchange and cooperation on Sept 18, expanding collaborations in education, innovation, trade, and investment.

Under the agreement, the two cities will use the Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute in Hangzhou as a platform for academic exchanges and talent development, support cooperation between startups and scale-ups, and explore joint projects in AI, healthcare, clean technology, and transportation.

The agreement builds on nearly two decades of cooperation between Beihang University and Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), which began in 2007.

Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute, jointly established by the two universities, opened this month at Beihang University's International Campus in Hangzhou. It has begun its first academic year with 383 students and offers bachelor's and master's degree programs taught in English, with doctoral programs planned.

Wang Yunpeng, president of Beihang University, said the institute's first cohort includes 180 Chinese undergraduates, 100 master's students, 19 doctoral students, and 78 international students.

The agreement also marks a broader expansion of ties between Hangzhou and Valencia, with both sides planning further exchanges in talent development, culture, technology, and industry.