Editor's Note
Elegantly dressed in formal attire, there's a group of people, who always actively engage in important diplomatic and foreign affairs events. Despite their busy schedule, they take time to explore the vibrant streets and alleys of Beijing, immersing themselves in the history and cultural allure of this modern metropolis. Who are they? They are ambassadors representing over 170 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, in China.
Curious about their impressions of Beijing? Which popular tourist attractions have they visited, and what cuisines do they like? Do they prefer unwinding at a cafe in Sanlitun, cycling along the riverbanks, or taking leisurely strolls after work? Moreover, what messages do they wish to convey to the people of Beijing?
In today's edition of "Beijing in the Eyes of Ambassadors", we will take you to the Swiss Embassy. Our featured guest is H.E. Jürg Burri, the Swiss Ambassador to China, who has gained popularity on the social media platform Weibo for sharing insights into his daily life in Chinese. He is widely regarded as an old China hand.
The ambassador promotes Beijing through social media
"Today, during an interview with the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office, I was asked whether I enjoyed my life in Beijing. My answer is a big yes. I like this historic city, its local cuisine and the natural beauty found in its wetlands, parks and the Great Wall on the mountains." Shortly after the interview, Ambassador Jürg Burri shared his sentiments on Weibo in Chinese. For him, engaging with people on Weibo has become an integral part of his life. "I use Weibo to showcase the daily experiences of the Swiss Ambassador to China, and introduce Switzerland to more people," said Ambassador Jürg Burri.
Not only has Jürg Burri delightedly shared his favorite walking spots on the outskirts of Beijing with friends both in China and abroad on Weibo, he also left a "clue" for direct encounters with him in this interview. "I almost go for a stroll along the Liangma River every day." He revealed. "As an urban renewal project, Beijing's Liangma River combines natural beauty, cultural and historical heritage, and modern vitality, exemplifying inclusiveness of the city's urban renewal endeavor."
During the interview, the Ambassador spoke highly of Beijing's environment, emphasizing that, "With over 6,400 wildlife species thriving in Beijing, the biodiversity is impressive. Personally, I enjoy bird-watching, especially the large number of birds that overwinter in Beijing's wetland parks. These birds migrate from all over the world to Beijing, and then return to various parts of the world. I think this is a good sign, symbolizing Beijing's openness to the world."
Beijing supports Swiss companies in innovation
The internationally renowned label "Swiss Made" carries a high reputation. As Jürg Burri highlighted, "Switzerland is synonymous with innovation. Our country not only exports products to China, but also collaborates with Chinese partners to develop tailored products for the Chinese market. The demand for innovative pharmaceuticals from Switzerland has greatly increased in China, leading to substantial cooperation between Switzerland and China in this sector. Moreover, the Swiss luxury and machinery industries deliver high-quality consumer goods that cater to the specific needs of Chinese consumers."
Many Swiss businesses, including well-established names like ABB and Nestlé, were early entrants into the Chinese market, and have since established extensive cooperation networks across China. Novartis is one of them. Ambassador Jürg Burri said, "Novartis and other Swiss firms based in the Zhongguancun Life Science Park in Changping, have benefited from the park's robust production and R&D infrastructure. Moreover, Beijing's 'two zones' development has opened up new opportunities for Swiss companies. We look forward to closer cooperation with China in such areas as the environment, culture and public health."
Sports Represents a Promising Area for Sino-Swiss Cooperation
As the only city in the world to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics, Beijing possesses rich legacies of major international sporting events. In the interview, Ambassador Jürg Burri talked about his visits to the Winter Olympic venues in Chongli, Zhangjiakou and the Big Air Shougang. He said that Switzerland has world-class ski resorts and slopes, known for their excellent snow conditions and stunning scenery. In the realm of winter sports, the ambassador believes that China and Switzerland have great potential for further cooperation, particularly in areas such as ice rink construction and the sustainable development of ski resorts.
In addition to doing sports, Ambassador Burri also enjoys watching Peking Opera and cross-talk performances once in a while in Beijing. He said, "Culture has brought the people of our two countries closer. We welcome Beijing citizens to participate in various activities hosted at the Embassy of Switzerland."
Q:
1.What is the capital of Switzerland?
2.What shape is the Swiss flag?
3.What are the most popular Swiss products?
4.Why do people say there are no "lonely dogs" in Switzerland?
A：
1.Bern
2.Square
3.Timepieces, chocolates, and Swiss Army knives......
4.The Swiss authorities have defined certain animals as sociable, and cannot be kept in confinement or alone. According to Swiss law, these pets must have companionship of their own kind.
