Grüezi Shanghai Newsletter of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai July 2014 Word from the Consul General Dear Swiss Friends, dear Friends of Switzerland, Time has come to say goodbye. After four most intense and fascinating years, my assignment in Shanghai is coming to an end: I will be moving with my family this coming October to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. We have truly fallen in love with Shanghai, which makes departing all the more difficult. The coming change looks far-reaching, but this is the charm of diplomatic life, to get to know different places and to face new challenges every four years. From 2009 to the end of this year, China will have doubled its GDP in US dollars according to IMF figures; it has been a privilege to witness this overwhelming Chinese pace of development. It is also fabulous to see the Consul General Heinrich Schellenberg excellent state of relations between China and Switzerland, the latest highlight being the entry into force of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement last 1st of July; this agreement is a milestone in our bilateral relations and gives Switzerland an additional edge on this crucial market. Switzerland is well positioned in China, but there is still room for improvement: we have to avoid complacency and continue to develop this important relationship as China, already a key partner now, will continue to rise and become even more important. Our relations are steadily developing also in areas beyond the economy, such as culture and academia. This Consulate General is committed to a comprehensive development of the bonds that tie us to Shanghai and the three adjacent provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui. I would like to seize this opportunity to praise the Swiss community residing in Shanghai and surroundings, its contribution to the privileged relations we enjoy with China is vital. This dynamic, entrepreneurial community is a real asset and gives the bilateral relations a lot of vitality. I also hope that you will welcome my successor, Mr Alexander Hoffet, and his family as warmly as you welcomed us – and, if anybody dares to venture into the sands of Arabia, please do not forget to knock on the door of the Swiss Embassy in Riyadh, it will be a pleasure to see you again! Heinrich Schellenberg Consul General Newsletter of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai | July 2014 2 Table of contents Visit of State Secretary for Economic Affairs 3 President of the Council of States visits China 5 New Consul General in Shanghai 7 swissnex China 8 Swiss Business Hub 10 Pro Helvetia 11 SwissCham Shanghai 12 Swiss Week Shanghai 2014 13 Cultural highlights 15 News from the Chancery 16 Chancery FAQ 17 New Employees at the Consulate 20 Young Swiss in China 21 Weddings 22 Births 23 Contact & Partners 26 Newsletter of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai | July 2014 3 back to top Visit of State Secretary for Economic Affairs State Secretary Ineichen-Fleisch and the FTA Mrs Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, State Secretary for Economic Affairs of Switzerland, visited China on an official mission from 29th June to 3rd July to celebrate the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and Switzerland, which entered into force on 1st July 2014. In Beijing Mrs Ineichen-Fleisch met with Vice Ministers Hu Xiaoyi, Zhong San and Wei Chuanzhong and held the opening speech at Sts Ineichen-Fleisch at the Sino-Swiss the Sino-Swiss Economic Forum Economic Forum in Beijing on 1st July 2014. On the following day and in presence of Vice Governor Fu Ziying, Mrs Ineichen- Fleisch officially raised the curtain on the new Sino-Swiss Zhenjiang Ecological Industrial Park in Jiangsu Province. The Sino-Swiss Zhenjiang Ecological Industrial Park is a milestone of bilateral Sts Ineichen-Fleisch and co-operation in clean technologies: Developed and built with Swiss technology, Vice Governor Fu this Ecological Industrial Park will foster a dynamic environment for the Swiss green technology sector. Praising this new landmark of Sino-Swiss co- operation, the State Secretary re-iterated in her opening speech the importance of sustainable development and its driving force, innovation. She emphasized the significance of co-operation in the fields of sustainable development, clean technologies and energy efficiency, and, closing the gap, she acknowledged the extended opportunities the new FTA brings for future technology transfers of clean-tech products. The new Sino-Swiss Zhenjiang Ecological Industrial Park Newsletter of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai | July 2014 4 back to top During the subsequent SwissCham event in Shanghai, the State Secretary put this historical step into perspective with the Chinese and the Swiss economy. In her eloquent speech Mrs Ineichen-Fleisch highlighted the paramount importance of the comprehensive FTA for Switzerland: As a small economy, our country relies on external trade and on essential trade partners like China. Hence increasing market access for Swiss goods and services abroad is a priority for the State Secretariate for Economic Affairs. Benefiting from long- standing and well-established relations, Switzerland has succeeded in SSZEIP’s eco-friendly buildings concluding as the first continental European country an FTA with China. The State Secretary stressed also that the main objective of this FTA is to grow into an advantageous tool for the private sector. Mrs Ineichen-Fleisch asseverated her State Secretariate’s devotion to pursue and deepen Sino-Swiss economic relations and to further encourage bilateral or multilateral Free Trade Agreements worldwide. Her conclusive words gave way to an extensive discussion, where more specific questions were addressed. The evening was rich in exchange of knowledge and information on the new FTA and other topics. State Secretary during the SwissCham Event by Livio Zellweger Newsletter of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai | July 2014 5 back to top President of the Council of States Visits China Hannes Germann’s mission to Beijing and Shanghai The President of the Council of States (Ständeratspräsident) Hannes Germann chose China for an official visit in an effort to honour Switzerland’s excellent bilateral relations with China and their momentum exemplified by the Sino- Swiss Free Trade Agreement. Sojourning from 2nd to 9th July 2014 in Beijing and Shanghai, the delegation met with the Chairman of the National People’s Congress Mr Zhang Dejiang and with Minister Wang Jiarui in Beijing. Headed President Germann and Zhang Dejiang by the President of the Council of States, the Swiss delegation included the following members of the Council of States: Claude Hêche (JU), Raphaël Compte (NE) and René Imoberdorf (VS), as well as National Councillor Hansruedi Wandfluh (BE). As a special guest of the Chinese Government, President Germann and the delegation were warmly received during the Shanghai leg of their visit by the Shanghai People’s Congress. The opening program covered some cultural aspects and the delegation caught a first ‘indoor’ glimpse of the Pearl of the At Shanghai Urban Planning Museum East at the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum. On the second day, the President of the Tongji University Prof Pei Gang and Vice-President Wu Zhiqiang welcomed the delegation to the campus and introduced Tongji’s co- operation with German, French and Swiss institutions. This visit highlighted that Tongji University is one of the Guided tour of the Yu Garden most active players in academic exchanges between Europe and China. After a vivid interaction with Swiss and Chinese Alumni and a guided tour through the Swatch Art Peace Hotel, the delegation was invited to an official meeting with the Chairwoman of the Shanghai People’s Congress Mrs Yin Yicui, followed by a The Vice-President and President of President of Council of States Mr Hannes dinner with Her Excellency. Tongji University Germann and Chairwoman of Shanghai People’s Congress Mrs Yin Yicui Newsletter of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai | July 2014 6 back to top On the third day in Shanghai, the delegation visited Roche at their site in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. Taking President Germann and his fellow Councillors on a tour, members of the Roche China Division and Mr Alexander Hardy, Regional Head Roche Pharma Asia Pacific, shared the experiences gained in China and gave insights into Roche’s future development. The visit to Roche was followed by the official meeting of President Germann with the Mayor of Shanghai, Mr Yang Xiong. It ended on a cheerful note reflecting the good relationship and reputation which Switzerland and its representatives enjoy in the Municipality of Shanghai. President Germann (right) and Mr Alexander Hardy The delegation embarked thereafter to the Power Station of Art, which hosted the temporary exhibition ‘15 Years Chinese Contemporary Art Award’ (CCAA) The official delegation, Consul established by Uli Sigg, former Swiss Ambassador to China and the leading General Schellenberg left first row collector for Chinese contemporary art. The museum further kindly provided the space for a roundtable discussion with selected Swiss entrepreneurs in the Yangtze area. The roundtable focused on challenges and opportunities of doing business in China, and the mutual interest laid the foundation for a compelling discussion. On their last evening in Shanghai, the delegation was welcomed by the Consul General and his wife at a reception at the residence, where they gathered with representatives of the Swiss community.