Interview with Consul General of Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai Mr. Lars Andreasson

By Wang Yanbing

In 2006, a giant wooden like sailboat called "Gotheborg" sailed from Sweden to the shore of Pujiang; in 2007, the national heirloom of Sweden culture in the new century, the musical of Mamma Mia!, has brought about an unforgettable musical journey... In which, we can taste the unique charm of the combination of Swedish modern and natural flavor.

In 2010, Sweden will bring us what kind of surprises? Reporters in Shanghai find the answer in the conversation with Mr. Lars Andreasson, the Consul General of Sweden in Shanghai.

"China fever" is warming in Sweden

Turning to China, Shanghai and the Expo Shanghai, Mr. Lars Andreasson who has been living and working here has a lot of feelings. "In Sweden, the information related to China is in an explosive state," he said. In these five years, a lot of news related to China can be found in Sweden newspapers. This is simply unimaginable in the past. Moreover, Mr. Lars Andreasson can be sure that 95% of Sweden working population has heard about the development of Shanghai, China, in which they are very interested in the takeoff of China economy. Almost all the large and medium-sized Sweden enterprises have set up their branches in China, especially in the Yangtze River Delta, such as Ericsson, Volvo, Ikea and H & M whom we are familiar with.

"We just sit at office every day and we are able to personally experience the enthusiasm of Sweden to China. It is because we receive a large number of e-mails every day. They ask us to answer some questions on China. Now, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Expo 2010 Shanghai are going to be held. This will allow more people to aware of the international stage role played by China." In addition, Mr. Lars Andreasson particularly emphasized the similarities between Shanghai and Stockholm, such as both being creative and vibrant. They has become the leading metropolis to attract visitors from worldwide.

Favor "Internet World Expo", unlimited vision of the Swedish Museum

In July 2007, the Swedish delegation led by Mr. Lars Andreasson, the former Sweden ambassador and the current Special Advisor of Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2010 Expo Trade Minister and Bjork, the Swedish Foreign Ministry senior adviser visited the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination and made technical consultations with the Bureau about the specific issues of participating the Expo Shanghai. Mr. Lars Andreasson said after reading the rich information about the Expo carefully, they had conducted specific study and communication about corporate exhibitors, UBPA, pavilion location, Online World Expo and confirmed the landing of self-built Sweden P.

Mr. Lars Andreasson particularly appreciates the Online World Expo which is firstly launched by the Expo Shanghai. He thinks it is full of modern significance. "Apart from the audience can experience 'entities Expo', the global Internet users can also be able to enjoy the excitement and splendor of the Expo online. This is a new undertaking of the Expo."

Referring to the progress of Swedish Pavilion in Expo Shanghai, Mr. Lars Andreasson said that Sweden, being the country of inventors, has stimulated many machinery, tools, equipment, medicine, scientific discoveries which have improved people's quality of life. He hopes the innovative spirit of this Nordic country can be continually integrated into the Swedish Pavilion and unlimited creativity can be emerged.

Create harmonious coexistence with the nature concern sustainable development

In Sweden, people put special emphasis on the harmony of the natural symbiosis, with particular attention to protecting the ecological environment. Even outside the Stockholm City Hall located at the Sweden capital, salmon can still be caught in the waters. The nature worship and living in harmony with the nature is starting to become a faith of this country.

"The theme of Expo Shanghai,‘Better City, Better Life’is very similar with the theme of the Swedish national development. For many years, Sweden has been committed to sustainable development, making the city life better and better for all." Mr. Lars Andreasson introduced Sweden's outstanding performance in science and technology, urbanization trends, social change and fashion and design aspects. In particular, he defined sustainable development as the Swedish society logo.

Mr. Lars Andreasson said in recent years of living in Shanghai, he saw rapid changes of the city. For example, he was informed that in order to welcome the Expo Shanghai, the city is making great efforts to develop the urban public transportation to breakthrough bottleneck development and protect the natural environment. In the eyes of Mr. Lars Andreasson, this not only changes the way of urban travel, but also meets the needs of sustainable development.

From Youth Water Technology Award to "Urban Best Practice Areas"

On the corridor wall in the consulate, reporter saw a photograph posted in prominent positions. The photo records Sweden Royal Highness Princess Victoria represented Sweden Stockholm International Water Institute to present the highest award of "Stockholm Water Science and Technology Youth Invention Award" which is with international reputation to the students from Shanghai Nanyang Model School to reward them for a research project to restore China’s urban river's ecological environment.

Mr. Lars Andreasson introduced excitedly that the increasingly obvious water crisis affects the quality of human survival. The award is to encourage the world's young people to pay attention to the water environment problems. What is gratifying is that China's youth has taken up the responsibility to search a solution for the national water problem. It is more worthy to expect that "Urban Best Practice Area" of Expo Shanghai will use urban neighborhoods as a carrier, displaying all recognized, innovative and valuable program and practices from representative global cities which have improved the quality of urban life. Mr. Lars Andreasson thought, "This will undoubtedly be the Expo Shanghai's most imaginative and expecting highlight. This may also be seen as an incentive to exhibitors."

For this, Swedish cities are actively preparing for the participation, for instance, Kristianstad. In 1999, this city put forward a bold goal-- "no fossil fuels city." Cogeneration plant and central heating station were firstly built to burn biomass. Factory with bio-gas separated from sewage was built to especially provide gas to vehicles. For instance, Hammerby Lake City, which is located in southeastern edge of Stockholm City, is the new town in which the overall development is in accordance with the thinking of Sustainable Development. Water is the theme of the construction of Hammerby Lake City. A natural extension of the Center City District is achieved. Meanwhile, the historical old industrial zone and port area are integrated, creating a modernized and new eco-town with good architectural and art environment. The environment information center of Hammerby Lake City -- the glass house, is an intelligent building aiming at an effective use of energy conservation. Both its functions and design is the model of implementing environmental awareness and the latest environmental energy saving technology.