Chongqing - In recent years, Chongqing has seized the opportunity to accelerate building the city into a Hub for International Exchanges in Central and Western China, continuously integrating and expanding foreign affairs resources.

The city has increased efforts to invite foreign entities and expand its presence globally. As a result, Chongqing's international network has grown, fostering broader exchanges with sister cities, solidifying partnerships, and paving the way for a wider path of friendship.

Since its inception on April 26, 2013, the sister-state partnership between Chongqing and the Canton of Zürich in Switzerland has significantly enhanced bilateral collaboration in trade, finance, technology, and education. As the most populous and economically prosperous canton in Switzerland, Zürich's preeminent status in finance, technology, and industry dovetails with Chongqing's strategic developmental objectives.

From the early days of this amicable alliance, leadership from both regions has engaged in frequent exchanges, spearheading numerous impactful cooperative endeavors across various sectors. A highlight of these interactions occurred in 2014 when the Governor of Zürich visited Chongqing to participate in the "Chongqing-Zürich Smart City" Forum, which focused on crafting strategies for sustainable urban development. That same year marked a significant milestone in terms of signing a Memorandum of Understanding for Financial Talent Training between Chongqing and Zürich.

In 2015, the Chongqing Local Financial Supervision and Administration Bureau, formerly the Chongqing Financial Office, and the Zürich University of Applied Sciences entered a Cooperation Agreement on Talent Education, Training, and Research. This agreement kick-started a series of financial talent development initiatives. Moreover, the two regions have proactively fostered collaborations in urban planning, transportation, and environmental protection.

November 2016 saw Zürich governmental representatives attending the China International Friendship Cities Conference in Chongqing; this was followed in December by the signing of an investment agreement between Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area and the Zürich-based ABB Group.

July 2018 witnessed the successful hosting of the China (Chongqing) - Switzerland Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum in Zürich, which catalyzed the signing of 15 agreements for projects in the Sino-Swiss Industrial Park, located in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area. This park officially opened in December of the same year, symbolizing a flagship achievement of this bilateral cooperation. That year also saw the inauguration of the first Sino-Swiss Business Incubation Competition, drawing participation from over 600 entities involved in the global smart industry, thus becoming the most internationally integrated, participated, and governmentally and investment-recognized competition in Western China.

In August 2019, delegates from the Zürich government participated in the second Smart China Expo and the Mayors' Roundtable for International Sister Cities of Chongqing.

In October 2020, the Chongqing - Zürich Investment and Trade Conference was simultaneously inaugurated in both cities, featuring participation from 200 entities spanning high-end manufacturing, educational services, and the electromechanical chemical sectors.

In September 2023, five Zürich-based companies showcased their innovative technological collaborations at the Smart China Expo and the China-Switzerland (Chongqing Liangjiang) Industrial Park Cup International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

The opening of registrations for the 2024 Sino-Swiss Business Incubation Competition signals the ongoing deepening of ties between these two dynamic regions.

Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government