Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel, Consul General of Switzerland in Chengdu Frank Eggmann, Mr. Yang Xingping, vice governor of Sichuan Province, and other Swiss and Chinese officials attended the opening ceremony.
“Many would think that the opening of the consulate general is mostly to facilitate visa application, but it is not the case for us. The opening of the Swiss consulate general in Chengdu is the sign of the importance Chengdu holds in terms of economic growth. It is also our wish for the potentials China’s southwestern regions have in its future development, which will greatly enhance Sino-Swiss bilateral relations,” said Swiss Ambassador Jean-Jacques de Dardel at the press conference held prior to the official opening ceremony. “The opening of consulate general in Chengdu marks the new historic stage the two countries have entered.”
The consulate general of Chengdu is 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 new consulate general serves the Southwestern China region, covering the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and Chongqing Municipality. It focuses on facilitating and enhancing the economic and trade relations between Switzerland and China’s southwestern region, as well as promoting Switzerland’s innovative capacities and tourism.
The consulate general does not provide consular or visa services. Visa applications for Chinese citizens can be submitted at the Visa Acceptance Center in Chengdu. Consular services for Swiss citizens remain with the embassy in Beijing, and Swiss citizens living in the region stay registered with the embassy.
Chengdu, an economic hotspot 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.
“There have been a big number of Swiss companies in Chengdu and a network of smaller Swiss companies here. The opening of Consulate general Chengdu is not just symbolism. Switzerland will make the best use of its pragmatism to enhance exchanges not only in the economic field, but also cultural and people to people exchanges,” said Ambassador de Dardel. “The consulate general will look into future collaborations, and enhance the development of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, the neighboring areas and the ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative,” he added.
Deepening collaboration between Switzerland and Chengdu
Switzerland has been working with Chengdu city closely in recent years and gradually increases its visibility 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. Switzerland will work with Chengdu to help it to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and achieve sustainable development.
Following the opening of the consulate general, the latest substantial collaboration between the two parties, the International Workshop on Sino-Swiss Low Carbon City Construction and Industry Development, is taking place in Chengdu on December 1 and 2. Swiss and Chinese experts will share their expertise in sustainable urbanization and put forward suggestions for Chinese cities in their initiatives in constructing low carbon cities and achieving sustainable industrial growth. In October, 2017, a Swiss Week in Chengdu will be held to promote Switzerland to visitors as a leading innovative country, an idea destination for investment and tourism.
The office of the consulate general is located at Yanlord Landmark Tower 1, Renmin South Road, Chengdu. It is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. It can be reached at +86 28 6511 0730. An inauguration ceremony of the consulate general will take place in the spring of 2017.
