A history of the partnership
Here you will find a chronological list of the most important meetings and activities which have taken place to date within the scope of the twinning initiative between Basel and Shanghai.
Photos of the events have been posted on the official Facebook page for the twinning initiative.
Basel, December 8, 2011
SEMC visits Basel
On Thursday, 8 December a reception was held in Basel’s City Hall for a delegation of the Shanghai Economic Management College (SEMC), headed by College Director WANG Guoping. Together with the University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, the SEMC organises the exchange of junior managers between Shanghai and Basel. The purpose of the visit is to discuss and plan the future of this successful cooperation project.
Basel, October 28, 2011
Shanghai Government Delegation
A delegation of the Standing Committee Shanghai Municipal People's Congress (SCSMPC) was welcomed by the President of the Basel’s Great Council, Markus Lehmann, and was introduced to the Canton’s political system.
Basel, October 2, 2011
Manager exchange programme to continue
The exchange programme for young managers between Basel and Shanghai launched in 2009 has proven successful, and is to continue under the auspices of the Department of External Affairs and Marketing Basel-Stadt with the added involvement of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW. Eight young managers from Shanghai were able to gather useful.
Shanghai, October 2011
Three Basel delegations in Shanghai
In October 2011 three Basel delegations in the fields of urban planning, education and economics travelled to Shanghai for an exchange of expertise. The three separate visiting delegations were headed by the Executive Council members Hans-Peter Wessels and Christoph Brutschin as well as the Head of Education, Hans Georg Signer. In addition to the exchange of know-how, the programme also included receptions with senior Shanghai government representatives.
Basel, September 12, 2011
Premiere for Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival on Münsterplatz
On Monday, September 12, 2011 the Basel Münsterplatz was transformed into a Chinese people’s garden for the first time. Visitors encountered presentations of Chinese music and dance, along with numerous opportunities for children and adults to take part. The festival was realised in collaboration between the Department of Presidential Affairs of Basel-Stadt and the Museum of Cultures, while the programme was finalised by a working group which included with representatives of the Chinese community.
To photo album
To facebook album
Shanghai, May 30, 2011
Deepened cooperations
A Basel health delegation headed by the Vice-President of the Executive Council Carlo Conti travelled to Shanghai on 30 May 2011 for a three-day exchange of expertise. Talks centred on the cooperation between the Basel Area University Children’s Hospital (UKBB) and the Shanghai Children Medical Center (SCMC), which was launched at the beginning of 2011. A meeting was held with Deputy Mayor SHEN Xiaoming to discuss the further development and intensification of this cooperation.
Basel, May 9, 2011
Education Delegation
An Education Delegation from Shanghai has met Mr. H. G. Signer, Head of Education at the Department of Education of Basel-Stadt, and other education representatives from Basel, and has discussed the possibilities for joint cooperation. The participants of the meeting exchanged views about similarities and development trends in the educational systems of the two cities. As a conclusion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, which will form the basis for future cooperation.
Basel, April 15, 2011
Delegation
The Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt received a delegation led by YU Zhengsheng, the Party Secretary of Shanghai. Projects and subjects in connection with the City Partnership were discussed during the reception in the City Hall. After the meetings, there was an official dinner with further high-ranking guests in the Villa Wenkenhof in Riehen.
Basel, March 15, 2011
Visit of the Luwan Delegation
On Shrove Tuesday, Basel was visited by a delegation from the Shanghai Luwan district. In addition to an exchange of information about the organisation of major events such as the Carnival (Fasnacht), the delegation also enjoyed a guided tour through the bustle of the Basel Carnival and the carnival lantern exhibition.
Basel, February 22, 2011
Partner Schools
Basel's Gymnasium Leonhard and the renowned 'High School Affiliated to Fudan University' from Shanghai are now partner schools and organise a student exchange program. The headmasters of both schools, Roger Morger und ZHENG Fang Xian, signed a partnership agreement in Basel. More about the partner schools
Basel, January 13 – 14, 2011
Health Delegation
A health delegation from Shanghai visited Basel for the inauguration of the new University Children's Hospital of both Basel. The delegation visited the new hospital building and met with the management board and Vice President of the Executive Council Dr. Carlo Conti. On this occasion, the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center and the University Children's Hospital of both Basel also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for further projects and cooperations. More about cooperation projects within the health system
Basel, November 29 - December 2, 2010
Urban Planning Delegation
State Councillor Hans-Peter Wessels welcomed a delegation from Shanghai's Urban Planning and Land Resource Administration Bureau. During the three-day visit in Basel, the delegation discussed city planning as well as architecture and visited the rhine port and Basel's beautiful old town.
Basel, November 17, 2010
Concert of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra
The concert of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra in Basel was the perfect event to celebrate the three-year existence of Basel and Shanghai's successful partnership. The guests enjoyed an exceptional performance of the orchestra and were informed about the City Partnership by the President of the Executive Council Dr. Guy Morin.
To the facebook-album
Shanghai, October 31, 2010
End of the 2010 World Expo Shanghai
Together with the gates of the World Expo, the joint pavilion of the three Swiss cities of Basel, Geneva, and Zurich is closing its doors after six extremely successful months and more than two million visitors.
Basel, September 22, 2010
Moon festival
For the first time, representatives of the Chinese community were invited to Basel’s city hall to celebrate the traditional Chinese moon festival. Vice-President of the Government Dr. Carlo Conti welcomed the guests, and WU Ken, China’s new ambassador to Switzerland, gave an address. More about the Moon Festival
To the photoalbum
To the facebook-album
Basel, September 22, 2010
Inaugural visit of the new Chinese ambassador
WU Ken, the new ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Switzerland, is welcomed by the President of the Government Dr. Guy Morin, the Vice-President of the Government Dr Carlo Conti, and State Councillor Dr. Hans-Peter Wessels on the occasion of an inaugural visit.
Basel, September 9, 2010
Delegation
The committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress (SCSMPC) under the leadership of Mr. SHI Kai, the director of the research office, was received in the city hall by the President of the Parliament Annemarie von Bidder. Together with other members of the Executive Council, the guests are informed about the functioning and the special characteristics of the Executive Council.
Shanghai, August 11, 2010
Signing of the MoU
State Councillor Hans-Peter Wessels and Shanghai’s deputy mayor SHEN Jun sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the years 2011 to 2013 in Shanghai in the presence of the President of the Parliament Annemarie von Bidder.
Shanghai, August 8 – 11, 2010
Basel-Shanghai days at the World Expo
The highlight of the Basel-Shanghai days is the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Shanghai and Basel. The focus of the days is otherwise very much on culture; as well as specialist events on architecture, spatial planning and design, a performance by the Basel Symphony Orchestra takes place. Read more about the Basel-Shanghai days.
Shanghai, May 20 – 28, 2010
Basel Week at the World Expo
Basel presents itself in all its diversity during ‘Basel Week’. Special themed days in the joint cities pavilion create a suitable backdrop for deepening the twinning initiative between Basel and Shanghai which has been in existence since 2007. Numerous Basel representatives and organizations use the unique opportunity to maintain existing projects with Shanghai and to launch new ones. On May 26, Basel’s President of the Government Dr. Guy Morin, the Vice-President of the Government Dr. Carlo Conti and Shanghai’s major Zheng HAN therefore met to discuss their joint interests. Read more about the Basel Week at the World Expo
Shanghai, May – June 2010
Basel-Shanghai manager exchange
Four managers from Basel spend six weeks as guests in Shanghai companies.
Read more about the manager exchange program.
Shanghai, 1. Mai 2010
World Expo 2010 Shanghai
Together with Geneva and Zurich, Basel opens a pavilion at the largest World Expo to date with the motto ‘Better Water – Best Urban Life’.
Read more about the World Expo.
Basel, February 3, 2010
Delegation
The President of the Government Dr. Guy Morin welcomes a delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Culture under the leadership of Mr. XIANG Xiaowei, the Vice Director of the Department for Cultural Exchange. Discussion also takes place regarding the exhibition by Culturescapes, which presents China’s cultural landscape from September 16 to December 7, 2010.
Basel, November 2, 2009
Delegation
The Xuhui District People's Government under the leadership of Mr. BAO Bingzhang pays a visit to the Executive Council in Basel. The Chinese politicians are interested above all in the work of the Finance Commission.
Basel, August 27 + 28, 2009
Delegation
A delegation of the Shanghai Economic Management visits Basel to discuss initial implementation of the manager exchange and to provide advice on the future of this exchange.
Basel, August 26, 2009
Delegation
The Shanghai People’s Congress visits Basel with a delegation consisting of five people.
Basel, July 2009
Delegation
Under the leadership of Mr. CHEN Shenglai, the president of the Shanghai International Arts Festival, a delegation visits various cultural institutions in Basel.
Basel, June 2009
Delegation
The mayor of Shanghai, Mr. HAN Zheng honors Basel with a visit together with a high-caliber delegation and is welcomed by the President of the Government Dr. Guy Morin, Vice-President of the Government Dr. Carlo Conti and State Councillor Christoph Brutschin.
Shanghai, April 30, 2009
Dedication of the basilisk fountain in Shanghai
Vice-President of the Government Dr. Carlo Conti dedicates Basel’s landmark in the Chinese partner city in the presence of local representatives, local media, representatives of the Swiss authorities, of associations and companies, natives of Basel living abroad, and many onlookers. As the result of the drinking water fountain, Basel is now also physically present in the partner city.
November 2008
Switzerland’s show at the World Expo is defined
The cities of Basel, Geneva and Zurich present their common show at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. A contract is signed in Shanghai to seal the participation of the three Swiss cities.
October 28, 2008
The Chinese Ambassador visits Basel
Ambassador DONG Jinyi, who has been the official diplomatic representative of the People’s Republic of China in Switzerland since April 2008, and his wife are formally received by President of the Government Dr. Guy Morin, Vice-President of the Government Dr. Carlo Conti and State Councillor Dr. Ralph Lewin.
September 26, 2008
Visitors from Shanghai in Basel
A delegation of seven representatives from Shanghai, led by LI Liangyuan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Shanghai Committee, is received at the Rathaus by Vice-President of the Government Dr. Carlo Conti. The delegation comes to discuss the governmental systems of the two city states.
September 25-28, 2008
Art project “Echoing Shanghai” in Basel
“Echoing Shanghai”, a project by artist and curator Art Clay, presents a playful exchange of art and high tech. The project is supported by ETH Zurich, Swissnex Shanghai and Location Marketing Basel, among others.
May 16-23, 2008
Art project “Echoing Shanghai” in Shanghai
During the Digital Arts Weeks in Shanghai, the official city partnership Basel-Shanghai presented the sound sculpture “Echoing Shanghai”. The exhibition is accompanied by a panel discussion, concerts and an official ceremony.
May 9-12, 2008
First direct flight Zurich-Shanghai
State Councillor Dr. Ralph Lewin is a passenger on the first direct flight Zurich-Shanghai of Swiss International Airlines. In Shanghai, Lewin speaks at a press conference and meets with representatives of Shanghai municipality, World Expo Shanghai 2010 and the Swiss authorities.
April 4, 2008
Memorandum of Understanding 2008-2010 is signed
During a visit to Basel, SHEN Hongguang, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of Organization Department, CPC Shanghai Committee and head of the visiting delegation, and President of the Government Dr. Guy Morin sign a Memorandum of Understanding that defines the areas of cooperation between 2008 and 2010. The delegation also visits Novartis and the Baselworld fair of jewellery.
March 5-8, 2008
Fudan University visits Basel
Several representatives of Medical College of the Fudan University in Shanghai participate in a public symposion organized by the University Hospital Basel.
January 8, 2008
Economic delegation from Shanghai visits Basel
A delegation from the Xhuhui district in Shanghai, led by MAO Minggui, President Xuhui District International Chamber of Commerce, visits Basel. The Chinese guests are welcomed by President of the Government Dr. Dr. Eva Herzog and the State Councillors Dr. Carlo Conti and Dr. Ralph Lewin. They also visit several companies in Basel.
November 19, 2007
A contract is signed – Basel and Shanghai are officially partners
State Councillor Dr. Carlo Conti and Vice Mayor TANG Dengjie sign the contract that formally seals the city partnership between Basel and Shanghai. The ceremony takes place in Shanghai. As a symbolic gift, Conti gives the Vice Mayor the model of a basilisk fountain, a traditional drinking fountain in Basel. Later, the original fountain will be installed in a Shanghai park.
December 2-3, 2006
Basel visits the ITI Asia Congress in Shanghai
At the ITI Asia Congress in Shanghai, co-hosted and organised by Straumann AG in Basel, State Councillor Dr. Carlo Conti and Vice Mayor TANG Dengjie express the will to enter an official city partnership.
October 25-26, 2006
Visitors from Shanghai in Basel
WANG Anshung, Deputy Party Secretary, CPC Shanghai Committee, leads a delegation from Shanghai that is formally received in Basel.
March 6, 2006
First delegation from Shanghai in Basel
During this first meeting with officials in Basel, the Shanghai delegation expresses an interest in entering a city partnership.
