Chongqing- On June 20, the Swiss National Day Reception was held in the Sinoswiss Technopark in downtown Chongqing. Conny Camenzind, Consul General of Switzerland in Chengdu, explained this year's Swiss public diplomacy event in China.

Consul General Conny Camenzind, who is about to leave office and return to Swiss, said in her speech that as a Swiss resident overseas, she is often asked, "What is the secret of Switzerland's prosperity?" "Why is Switzerland an innovative country?" These questions will be answered at this year's Swiss public diplomacy event in China. As she said, they will focus on five explanatory factors: innovation, stability, human capital, internationality, and social responsibility. The Consulate General of Switzerland in Chengdu will continue to seek cooperation platforms with Southwest China in these five areas. "We also look forward to resuming more international routes in Chongqing to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation," said she.

"Switzerland is an important economic, trade, and cultural partner of Chongqing in Europe. The sister-city relationship between Chongqing and Zurich has been last for nearly ten years." Li Mingquan addressed that the Sinoswiss Technopark in Liangjiang New Area has become an important platform to promote exchanges between Chongqing and Switzerland. Well-known Swiss companies, including ABB, have invested in Chongqing and achieved good development performance. In the first four months of 2022, the total import and export volume between Chongqing and Switzerland has increased by nearly 1.5 times yearly, and the prospects for cooperation between the two places are getting brighter. Facing the future, the Chongqing FAO is willing to continue to maintain exchanges and interactions with the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chengdu and relevant parties and continue to promote the pragmatic cooperation between Chongqing and Switzerland in the fields of economy and trade, science, and education, and cultural engagement.

Mr. Christophe Vauthey, the in-designate Swiss Consul General in Chengdu, greeted everyone through a video speech. He will arrive in Chengdu this autumn to take up his post. He said he is looking forward to working with all circles in the consular district to enhance the friendship between Switzerland and China and continue writing a new chapter of friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Before the reception, Deputy Director Li Mingquan held talks with Consul General Conny Camenzind. Li Mingquan spoke positively of Consul General Conny Camenzind's commitment to the two-way promotion of Chongqing and Switzerland during her tenure, effectively expanding exchanges and cooperation between the two places in various fields and making positive contributions to promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two places in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, and culture. It is hoped that Consul General Conny Camenzind will continue to care, publicize and support Chongqing in the future, and pass on the friendly and cooperative relationship between the Chongqing FAO and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chengdu. Li Mingquan, on behalf of Chongqing FAO, issued the "Chongqing Friendship Messenger Certificate" to Consul General Conny Camenzind to thank her for her positive contribution.

Li Mingquan, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, Qin Dingbo, Deputy Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, Conny Camenzind, Consul General of Switzerland in Chengdu, and other consular officials and representatives of European enterprises in Chongqing attended the event.