Gothenburg and Shanghai have been sister cities since the mid-1980s. This is intended to increase cooperation between the two regions on a broad front. China and especially Shanghai are among the fastest growing regions in the world. Today there are several companies from the Gothenburg region onsite in Shanghai, including several Volvo companies and SKF.Mutual contacts between the cities were further enhanced in 2004. One of the areas of particular emphasis is Swedish industrial design, and companies such as Volvo and Hasselblad are very active in the exchange. During the same year, Gothenburg also received visits from several highly placed Chinese officials. In September 2004, the Deputy Prime Minister of China Wu Yi inaugurated Shanghai´s new trade office in Gothenburg. In June, the mayor of Shanghai participated in the christening of the East Indiaman Götheborg III. China´s Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also visited Gothenburgh during the year. |
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Gothenburg also participated for the first time in Xiamen´s major investment fair together with Invest Sweden. During the year, the first Chinese businesses were also established in Gothenburg.The World Expo 2010 in Shanghai
During the World Expo in Shanghai 2010, Business Region Göteborg arranged the event "Sister Cities Days" in the Swedish Pavilion in cooperation with Volvo Cars, SKF, SCA, Region Västra Götaland, Göteborg Energi, Port of Gothenburg, Göteborg & Co, Renova, Chalmers and University of Gothenburg.
Four well-attended seminars on the following topics took place on the 18th and 19th of October:
-Environment
-Technology
-Life Science
-Harbour
A number of study visits at companies and organizations in Shanghai focused on environmental issues were also arranged. As a conclusion of the Sister Cities Days, a Mayors´ Summit was held, which was highlighted in Chinese media.
Highlights from World Expo 2010
Sister Cities Forum
In May 2008, The City of Gothenburg and Business Region Göteborg arranged the event "Sister Cities Forum" in Shanghai. The aim was to broaden the contacts between the cities and to help companies and organizations from the Gothenburg region to get access to the Chinese market. Seminars, study visits and social activities were held. The main themes for the event were sustainable development and biomedicine/traditional Chinese medicine.
The seminars were highly appreciated by the 350 Chinese delegates, who represented companies, authorities, universities and organizations in the Shanghai region.
One of the direct results of the event was a cooperation agreement between the ports of Gothenburg and Shanghai regarding onshore power supply to reduce greenhouse gases.
A delegation of small-- and medium size companies from the Gothenburg region also took part in the program “Shanghai Support" arranged by Business Region Göteborg and Ecoex. Several of these companies found important business contacts, and have now started activities in China.
