Chongqing - On June 18, 2021, the House of the Swiss Army Knives (Schweizer Messer) was officially open to the public for free with more than 3000 collections. Ms. Conny Camenzind, Swiss Consul General in Chengdu, and Mr. Martin Mueller, National Chairman of the Swiss Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Xing Jun, member of the Party Committee, Deputy Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, attended the event and delivered welcome speeches. About fifty enthusiasts from all over the country also gathered in Chongqing to witness this grand opening of sabers and craftsmanship of the Swiss Army Knife.

 

 

As an important platform for Sino-Swiss cultural exchanges, Sino-Swiss Techno Park (SSTP) in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area initially introduced the House of Swiss Army Knives project in Asia in December 2020. This project was created by the private collector Mr. Yang Haoran, a collector who owns more than 3,000 pieces with a spanning history of hundreds of years and covers the entire Swiss Army Knives range. This private museum is currently the largest in Asia with the richest collections. Yang Haoran was selected by Victorinox Swiss Army Knife company as one of the seven Greatest Swiss Army Knife Collectors in the world. He is also the only non-European and non-American collector. He has been invited to visit the Swiss Army Knife Headquarters factory for times and has been on media in China and aboard.

In 2017, President Xi Jinping called the Swiss Army Knife a product of Switzerland's "craftsmanship spirit" at the Conference on building a community of shared future for mankind at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, stated by Mr. Xing Jun in his opening remarks, he also suggested that the opening of the House of Swiss Army Knives in Chongqing is the first cooperation between Chongqing and Switzerland on the theme of cultural tourism products, and it is another in-depth exploration of Chongqing and Switzerland in the field of cultural tourism.

The Swiss Army Knife has been regarded as a symbol of Swiss culture by Swiss officials on many occasions, and it was given to China as a diplomatic gift to symbolize the stable development of friendly relations between China and Switzerland.

Ms. Conny Camenzind indicated that Switzerland not only has chocolate, cheese, and Federer, it is also famous for being innovative, smart, and sustainable. The Swiss Army Knife is a typical representative. "This house not only showcases Swiss culture to the public but also fully embodies the Swiss characteristics of excellent quality, craftsmanship, and intelligent creation", she said. It is hoped that the SSTP will make positive contributions to the promotion of cultural exchanges and business opportunities between Switzerland and Chongqing.

In the grand opening event, Mr. Yang Haoran also shared his stories with the Swiss Army Knife, he particularly likes the aluminum-handled Swiss Army knife, which was originally produced in 1957 and is called "Pioneer". He indicated how excited he was when he finally get it from an auction. From now on, all the precious pieces are available at the private museum for free.   

SSTP as one of the key national industrial parks built in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area is currently committed to becoming an important window for international industrial cooperation and opening-up in Chongqing. The headquarters office base and image exhibition hall have been completed and put into operation. In addition, the largest international conference center in the southwest region, the foreign-related service area including the 24-nation joint visa center, as well as 5A Grade office buildings are supporting commercial plazas. It mainly aimed at European countries represented by Switzerland, focusing on the introduction of technology research development and production service institutions with the characteristics of "new technologies, new materials, and new processes" in the fields of intelligent manufacturing, electronic information, aerospace, and medical health.

Tips for visit

House of Swiss Army Knives 瑞士军刀收藏家

Address: 5 Pinghe St, Jinzhou Ave, Yubei District, Chongqing

Open: 9:00 - 17:00 Mon.-Fri.

TEL for the reservation: 023-63113388

For your convenience, please make a reservation 30 mins before your visit, bring your valid ID for entrance.