Just a little over two kilometres from Galicia鈥檚 border, lodged in Valen莽a do Minho in Portugal, a new China-backed aerospace excellence hub is taking shape鈥攁nd it鈥檚 closer than you might think.
This ambitious centre, supported by a consortium of Portuguese universities and the municipality of Valen莽a do Minho, promises to be more than just a facility; it signals a major strategic leap for cross-border scientific collaboration between northern Portugal and Galicia, according to a report by La Voz de Galicia on Thursday.
鈥淐hina is promoting an aerospace excellence laboratory two kilometres from Galicia. Microsat, the Asian giant鈥檚 agency specialising in satellite development, has partnered with Portugal to use the Cerval airfield,鈥 La Voz stated in an X post. The heart of this venture, which aims for excellence in aeronautics, aerospace, and ocean technology, is hosted under Interreg鈥檚 POCTEP programme, with backing from both Portuguese and EU funds.
Accelerating research and innovation
Leading Portuguese academic institutions, including the universities of Minho and Porto, have joined forces with local technology centres and the Valen莽a municipality, forming a powerful partnership aimed at accelerating research and innovation in the three sectors mentioned above.
Although geographically located in Portugal, the hub sits just over two kilometres from Galicia鈥檚 border. Galicia isn鈥檛 a direct partner, but it stands to gain significantly. Its robust aerospace sector is primed for spillover benefits once local researchers and businesses can plug into the lab鈥檚 discoveries.
For Galicia, this hub could become a gateway to cutting-edge aerospace technology鈥攄rone systems, satellite instrumentation, and avionics鈥攚ithout setting foot beyond the Spanish-Portuguese boundary, La Voz added.
This project builds on the existing Aeroganp network, which unites Galicia and northern Portugal in a 鈧2 million Interreg effort aimed at strengthening cooperation in unmanned aerial vehicle systems.
The new facility expands that collaboration into a more concrete space鈥攖his isn鈥檛 theoretical cooperation, but real-world deployment and innovation.
Ready to drive progress
Portugal鈥檚 Minho presence brings immediate advantages: institutions with active aerospace engineering programmes, experienced technical teams, and municipal support ready to drive progress.
Now they鈥檙e officially in the driver鈥檚 seat of this Chinese-sponsored excellence lab. Galicia鈥檚 aerospace economy鈥攁 cluster of aerospace SMEs, regional centres, and a growing innovation ecosystem鈥攇ains indirect access, as cross-border R&D pipelines and pilot project trials are rolled out.
What鈥檚 at stake here isn鈥檛 just prestige. The region is aiming to attract talent, investment, and high-tech jobs. It鈥檚 about building an Iberian aerospace corridor, with Portugal鈥檚 Valen莽a lab anchoring one end and Galicia鈥檚 Rozas and Porto do Molle facilities anchoring the other.
Still, the diplomatic and administrative reality remains tricky. Galicia is not a formal partner in this new Portuguese initiative, although its ecosystem is expected to be swiftly integrated.
Galicia expresses interest
Municipal officials in Valen莽a are already drafting frameworks to encourage Galician SMEs and researchers to collaborate.
Galicia鈥檚 regional government has expressed interest鈥攂ut waits for formal invitations and specific channels to engage.
This lab marks a milestone for cross-border cooperation, yet highlights the complexities of multi-jurisdictional science.
Portugal takes credit for hosting the centre and leveraging Chinese investment, while Galician researchers stand ready at the gateway, poised to step in once legal and operational pathways align.
In short, this aerospace excellence lab in Valen莽a isn鈥檛 just a Portuguese advance鈥攊t鈥檚 a shared opportunity for an Iberian leap in aerospace innovation. The engines have started. Now, Galicia needs to hop on board.
China has one of the most advanced aerospace technologies in the world | Credit: Microsat