Chongqing- From November 26 to 29, Caroline Wilson, the British Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, completed her tour to Chengdu and Chongqing. This is Ambassador Wilson's first visit to Southwestern China after taking up her post in October this year.

Ambassador Wilson on the Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Railway

After spending a whole day in Chengdu, Ambassador Wilson recommended a significant store – Blue Sheep Crafts & Gift Shop. In 2008, Rachel Pinniger, a British grandma, chose to become a volunteer for the Wenchuan earthquake (2008 Sichuan earthquake). At that time, many artisans in the disaster-stricken area were extremely difficult to survive without a source of income. Therefore, Rachel took out all her savings and opened this store to help vulnerable groups. All handicrafts in the store are made by ethnic minorities or people with disabilities in poor mountainous areas, including handmade wallets of Miao, wooden tableware of Yi, handmade felt accessories of Tibetan, small accessories from families in need, and more. Rachel introduces stories behind each product by a little small card. "I am very happy to see such cooperation and exchanges between the British and Chinese people in Chengdu," said Ambassador Wilson.

At the Blue Sheep Crafts & Gift Shop

In Chongqing, Ambassador Wilson came to the Chongqing Sichuan Opera Company and met Shen Tiemei, the famous performing artist of Sichuan Opera. Ambassador Wilson played dulcimer and a short piece of traditional Sichuan opera Qiuse Furong (Cotton Roses in Autumn) with young actors of Sichuan Opera.

Played dulcimer in Chongqing Sichuan Opera Company

In recent years, Chongqing Sichuan Opera Company and the United Kingdom have continuously cooperated in the cultural field. In 2015, Sid Peacock, a British musician, had a one-month resident exchange at Chongqing Sichuan Opera Company. Meanwhile, Chongqing Sichuan Opera Company toured seven cities in Britain in 2016, with 700,000 spectators. In 2017, Chongqing Sichuan Opera Company cooperated with Sonia Lovett, the British director, to put the award-winning work Golden on the movie screen using the British model of “Online National Theatre.”

Of course, Ambassador Wilson tasted Chongqing hot pot, which is on the must-taste delicacies list in this city. Although she is not a native in Chongqing, she still chose to taste the chili powder, which is spicier than a common condiment.

Eating Chongqing hot pot.

Moreover, Qu Qian, the vice mayor of Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, met with Ambassador Wilson. Mayor Qu introduced the general situation of Chongqing's economic recovery in the post-pandemic period. He suggested further and deeper cooperation between Britain and Chongqing in technological innovation, economic and trade cooperation, and local friendship. Ambassador Wilson hoped that the two sides would have further cooperation in trade, investment, and climate change.

The meeting between Mayor Qu and Ambassador Wilson

In terms of economic and trade cooperation, in early December, six architectural design companies in the UK will participate in the public tender for three projects in the Liangjiang New Area. In terms of electronic information, the RELX Group in Britain will open an additional office in Western China. Additionally, the world's seventh-largest software company Micro Focus has just signed a contract with Chongqing Economic and Technological Development Zone. The cooperation in the automobile industry includes the R&D center established by Chang’an Automobile in Birmingham. The first joint laboratory of China's European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) was established in Chongqing by the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute and MIRA. In addition, BP, INEOS, ZAHA, and British early education institutions are cooperating in projects in Chongqing.

Strategic Collaboration Signing Ceremony between Chongqing Economic and Technological Development Zone and the Micro Focus

Among them, the strategic cooperation agreement signed between the Chongqing Economic and Technological Development Zone and the Micro Focus will jointly build the ecological development of Chongqing Software Park, providing full life cycle technical support to software companies in Chongqing and all over China.

Besides, Ambassador Wilson also came to Chongqing University and shared ideas with President Zhang Zongyi on potential cooperation, including the Western (Chongqing) Science City and the joint training project between Chongqing University and British universities. Furthermore, Ambassador Wilson also had an exchange discussion with teachers and students of Chongqing University.

In Chongqing University