Sacha Bachmann, Consul General of Switzerland to Shanghai was delighted to “multiply Swissness and help create opportunities” on the historic 12th September, on which 176 years ago, the constitution that shaped modern Switzerland was adopted – a rock-solid foundation for Swiss democracy and the modern Swiss success story.
Guests of honor included official representatives from both Chinese and Swiss sides -Ms. Yu. Lijuan, Vice Chairwoman and Party Member of Shanghai Municipal Political Consultative Conference and Ambassador Heinrich Schellenberg, Assistant State Secretary of Switzerland for Asia and Pacific.
Switzerland has an impressive economic presence in the Yangtze Delta with more than 400 Swiss companies. With their first-class quality products and services, they represent the renowned Swiss excellence.
Sacha Bachmann, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai highlighted in his opening remarks the importance of the successful Swiss business community in Shanghai and its significant contributions to Swiss prosperity and Sino-Swiss relations.
The presence of the Assistant State Secretary of Switzerland for Asia and Pacific underlined the intensifying high-level Sino-Swiss engagement this year, which reflects the shared commitment between Switzerland and China to a prosperous and sustainable future. Ambassador Heinrich Schellenberg emphasized the importance of the modernization of the Sino-Swiss bilateral Free Trade Agreement with negotiations scheduled to start very soon.
Schindler Group China CEO Daryoush Ziai highlighted the fact that Schindler established the first Sino-Western joint venture in 1980. Nowadays, Schindler’s largest manufacturing base and R & D Center are located in Shanghai. The Swiss company employs more than 16’000 people across 200 locations in China. This year, Schindler celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Switzerland was one of the first western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1950. Bilateral relations have steadily evolved and diversified. Ambassador Schellenberg highlighted his confidence that “this partnership will continue to grow, bring benefits to both of our countries and help us address the global challenges we face.”
The Swiss Night 2024 served as an excellent platform to further enhance ties between China and Switzerland and to initiate more Swiss business success stories in China.
The Consulate General is very grateful to the following highly appreciated partners for their generous support, which enabled the Consulate to successfully stage the well-received inaugural Swiss Night Reception:
- Platinum Sponsors: Fracht AG – Novartis – Schindler – SIGG
- Gold Sponsors: Burkhardt Compression – Interroll – Partners Group – SGS – Sika
- Silver Sponsors: Bühler – Belimed – Clariant – Geberit – Georg Fischer – Laufen – Lindt – Mettler Toledo – Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
Special thanks to SWISS and Switzerland Tourism
Media support by COTE
For years to come, the Consulate General aims to stage an annual Swiss Night in Shanghai around the historic 12th September as an exclusive flagship event for compatriots, business leaders, partners and friends of Switzerland.
