The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) decided to open a consulate general in Chengdu following a decision of the Federal Council. This will be Switzerland's fifth official representation in China, in addition to the embassy in Beijing and the consulates general in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
The consulate general serves the Southwestern China region, covering the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and Chongqing Municipality. Chengdu has experienced rapid economic development in recent years. The region has around 300 million inhabitants and is an attractive market for Swiss businesses. There are already a significant number of Swiss companies based in the region, from banks, large enterprises to small and medium businesses. The tasks of the new consulate general will focus on the economy, trade, innovation and tourism.
“To open the consulate general in Chengdu recognizes the exciting prospects this city and region holds for Sino-Swiss relations. The new consulate general will no doubt upgrade the visibility of Switzerland in Western China and help promote the image of the innovative, creative and competitive Switzerland of today through either business or cultural activities,” said Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel.
“The expansion of our diplomatic presence also reflects the strength, the depth and the width of our bilateral relationship, which witnessed the establishment of the Innovative Strategic Partnership earlier this year,” Ambassador de Dardel added.
Close cooperation between Switzerland and Chengdu
Switzerland has been working with Chengdu city closely in recent years and gradually increases its presence in the region. In January, 2016, a new Visa Acceptance Center was opened in Chengdu to facilitate visa application process for Chinese businesses and tourists to Switzerland.
As part of the Sino-Swiss Low Carbon Cities Project, the project in Chengdu was launched in April this year, following the signing of the founding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the witness of Chinese and Swiss presidents Xi Jinping and Johann Schneider-Amman in April. Switzerland will work with Chengdu to help it to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and achieve sustainable development.
Besides economic and business activities, the consulate general will also work with cultural sectors to contribute to the cultural exchanges between China and Switzerland, noted Mr. Eggmann, the new consul general.
Mr. Eggmann started his career at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 1985. He has served at missions in Manila, Hamburg, Nairobi, Curitiba, São Paulo, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Brasilia, Bern, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. He is married with two children.
