| Team Sweden in China Newsletter |
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Dear Reader,
It is my great pleasure to introduce to you to this first issue of “Team Sweden China Newsletter”. This newsletter aims to provide the Swedish business community and others with useful information regarding activities organized by:
- The Swedish Embassy in Beijing
- The Swedish Consulate General in Shanghai
- The Swedish Consulate General in Hongkong
- Business Sweden
- The Swedish Chamber of commerce, as well as
- Visit Sweden.
Occasionally we will also share some "in-house" news that we believe will be of interest to you.
As a newly appointed ambassador to China I would like to take this opportunity to share my view of the bilateral relationship. The links date back to the 18th century when the Swedish East India Company sailed between Sweden and China carrying valuable goods. 69 years ago Sweden, as the first western country, established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Thus, next year we will commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations and the planning of events goes on as I write. By reading our newsletter you can keep up to date as events unfold.
China is Sweden’s biggest trading partner in Asia and last year trade increased steadily in both directions, Swedish and Chinese companies have made considerable direct investments. Bilateral cooperation is ongoing in many areas. We have more than 30 Memoranda of Understandings. They cover areas such as Corporate Social Responsibility, education, research and innovation, energy, agriculture, transport, sustainable development, climate, culture and tourism. The number Chinese University students studying in Sweden continues to rise and the number of Chinese visitors travelling to Sweden is at a record high. I can safely say that the bilateral relationship is resting on a solid foundation on which we can build further cooperation.
With these words I would like to wish you all a summer of rest and recreation and I look forward to keeping in touch.
Helena Sångeland Ambassador to China |
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| Team Sweden China: Study Tour to Guangdong Province |
| Team Sweden China (the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China and Business Sweden) paid a study visit to Guangdong Province from 27 to 31 May to better comprehend the reality of trade in innovative areas such as electromobility and batteries. The delegation met with around 30 Swedish and Chinese companies including Scania, Ericsson, Autoliv, Ikea, Oriflame, H&M, Celltech, DJI, BYD, Haylion as well as Shenzhen government. |
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| During a CEO breakfast meeting organized by the embassy on June 10th, the digital edition of the Business Climate for Swedish companies in China 2019 was launched. This year’s survey offers unique insights into the experiences of Swedish companies in China and contrasts their challenges with the increasingly firm commitment that they have towards the vibrant Chinese market. It is a joint initiative by the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing, the Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai, Business Sweden and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China - all of which are members of Team Sweden China. The full report is available through the link below: |
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| Embassy: Seminar on Decent Work in global supply chains in Shanghai |
| On June 18 the CSR Centre of the Embassy of Sweden and UN Global Compact (UNGC) co-hosted a seminar on decent work in supply chains. Over 55 people attended and Ms. Lisette Lindahl, Consul General, Ms Meng Liu, Head of UNGC Asian Pacific Networks and Ms Claire Courteill-Mulder, Country Director of ILO China, shared their observations. The panel discussed how business can promote decent work, challenges they might face and how to share best practices. Swedish companies H&M, QuizRR and Volvo CE participated. |
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| Embassy: Life Science and Health Care platform visits Liaoning |
| The Swedish Life Sciences and Health Care platform visited Liaoning province on June 24. The Embassy of Sweden, Business Sweden and company representatives from Astra Zeneca, HemoCue, Getinge, Elekta and Mölnlycke took part in the visit. In the morning, the delegation met with the Liaoning Health Commission, Liaoning Medical Insurance Bureau and Liaoning Medical Products Bureau. Health care reform in Liaoning was the topic for discussion. During the afternoon, the delegation met with the management of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University and received an in-depth introduction of the high-ranking hospital’s development. |
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| Business Sweden: Nordic Edge China Summit |
| In April, Business Sweden Co-Hosted the Nordic Edge China Summit 2019 in Beijing, an inspiring two-day conference with more than 400 participants, where ambitions and experiences were exchanged between a wide range of smart city stakeholders across China & the Nordic countries. Through official representatives from respective country, as well as from companies working with urban city design and construction, participants learnt what Sweden and our neighbours can offer. Showcasing of Swedish sustainable cities, such as Hammarby Sjöstad, combined with presentations from Sweco and Envac, who both have been involved in a number of projects in China, attracted great interest from the Chinese audience. |
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| Consulate General in Shanghai: Swedish food week in Shanghai |
| 27 May to 5 June, the Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai organized what was likely the first ever official celebration of Swedish cuisine in the city. For a ten-day period, the Four Seasons hotel offered a Swedish buffet as well as set menus prepared by two Swedish guest chefs. On 6 June the chefs presented an extended buffet for the Consulate’s food-themed Swedish national day celebration. Two media events during the period led to 29 published articles and video reports, and related social media posts were viewed 163 000 times. |
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| Business Sweden/Embassy/ Cons. Gen. Shanghai/ Cons. Gen. Hong Kong: Swedish Pavilions at SIAL & Hofex |
| In May Business Sweden, the Embassy, the Consulate in Shanghai and the Consulate in Hong Kong hosted pavilions at SIAL in Shanghai and at Hofex in Hong Kong under the #TrySwedish umbrella, promoting a number of Swedish food and beverage brands who either already exist in China or are planning to enter the market. The pavilion had many visiting business buyers, sampling brands like Källbergs industri , Leksands Knäckebröd, Marenor, Orkla, Paulig Foods, This Is Nuts Sweden, Trensums Food, Essentia, Acrilex, W&B of Sweden . Åre Water, Gunnar Dafgård, Kronfågel, Mood Cocktails, BUBS godis, Duni, Pear & carrot, Swe Cheese, wästerbottenost, Malmö Chokladfabrik and HKScan. |
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| Visit Sweden: Explore Stockholm mini program |
| Over the last two years, Visit Sweden has shifted its strategic focus in China from group travel to high-spending individual travellers. In April, a WeChat-based mini program “Explore Stockholm” was launched in order to attract more individual travellers by offering first-hand and in-depth travel information of Stockholm. Another mini program for Gothenburg will soon be launched. Follow Visit Sweden’s WeChat (ID: vschina) to find out more. |
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| Visit Sweden: China-Doha-Gothenburg routes |
| With the launch of Qatar Airways’ non-stop flight from Doha to Gothenburg, a Go:Connect program to encourage Chinese travellers to visit Gothenburg by flying Qatar Airways from seven departure cities in China was initiated. A travel trade roadshow was organized in May with 150 tour operators attending.(Photo by: Visit Sweden) |
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| Embassy: The Swedish National Day |
| The Swedish National Day marks a special day for us no doubt. In terms of promotion it offers an opportunity to not only rally round the flag but to share a piece of Sweden with our invited 800 plus guests and stakeholders. This year we created an event which combined Swedish tradition with a more modern celebration. Thank you to our partners: Business Sweden, Visit Sweden, Swedish Chamber of Commerce and sponsors: Volvo Cars, Tetra Pak, Volvo Group, Ericsson, Scandinavian Airlines, Astra Zeneca, IKEA, SANDVIK, Atlas Copco, Blueair, OATLY, NoMe, Fjällräven, Happy Socks, Orkla, Rekorderlig. A special thanks to THE CHOIR by ABBA The Museum, the Moose Maniacs and the Cat’s Corner. |
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| SwedCham China: 2nd Annual Nordic Dragon Boat Tournament |
| SwedCham together with the other Nordic chambers in Beijing organized the second edition of their annual Dragon Boat Tournament on June 15 in Tongzhou. 300 people making up 14 teams and supporters competed for the title of 2019 Champion, eventually brought home by the Norwegian Business Association. The Swedish rowers won the prize for most gender balanced team. |
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Jun. 26: Consulate General of Shanghai attends opening of Nanjing Tech Week
Jul. 4: BJ: First aid training in Chinese organized by SwedCham ( registration)
Jul. 4-14: Consulate General of Shanghai organizes Swedish pop-up store event in Hangzhou
Jul. 10: Consul General in Shanghai attends inauguration of Alfa Laval factory in Kunshan
Jun.-Jul.: Launch “Explore Gothenburg” WeChat mini program organized by Visit Sweden
Jun.-Jul.: Go:Connect digital consumer campaign organized by Visit Sweden
Sept. 2-6: Parliamentary Committee for Industry and Trade visit Shanghai and Beijing
Sept. 2-6: Parliamentary Committee for Finance visit Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong
Sept. 9: CEO breakfast meeting with the topic of Greater Bay Area organized by the Embassy
Sept. 17-19: District heating roadshow organized by the Embassy of Sweden, The Swedish Energy Agency, Business Sweden and SweHeat & Cooling, Beijing and one more city
Sept. 24-28: Embassy participates in China International Meat Industry Week
Oct. 28 - Nov. 11: Scandinavian Travel Trade Roadshow organized by Visit Sweden
Nov. 5-10: Team Sweden participates in the second China International Import Expo |
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| New Swedish Ambassador to China |
| On May 28, the new Ambassador of Sweden to China, Helena Sångeland, presented her Letter of Credence to the President Xi Jinping. H.E. Ambassador Helena Sångeland arrived in Beijing on the 16th of May 2019 to take up her new position. Now that Ambassador Sångeland has presented her Letters of Credence she is officially Sweden’s representative in Beijing, China.
Ambassador Sångeland has 30 years of work experience at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden. She has been the head of the Asia Department at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and has also been Ambassador to Malaysia and Iran. Postings also include Hanoi, Helsinki and Rome. |
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| Daniela Ling-Vannerus Cassmer, will join the chamber on August 1, 2019, and formally take over the position as General Manager on September 1, 2019. Daniela will have to continue the strong development and improvement of the chamber that Martin Vercouter has built during his two years as General Manager.
Daniela has a background within marketing and economics and holds a Master’s Degree in International Business from the Schiller International University of Paris. Daniela also has a strong background within international media and sales with multiple positions internationally. Daniela is a Swedish citizen, she lives in Beijing with her husband and three children and speaks Swedish, Chinese, English and French. |
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| Please do not reply to this email. See contact details for respective organization below: |
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Team Sweden in China
Embassy of Sweden in Beijing
Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai
Business Sweden
Visit Sweden
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