Consul-general sounds positive notes on Chongqing-Netherlands ties

Guido Tielman arrived in Chongqing carrying nothing more than a guitar and a small suitcase, but these days he walks around with the weight of the Netherlands on his shoulders.

That guitar may come in handy as Tielman, his country's first consul-general in the western metropolis, seeks to add even more harmony to a relationship that by all accounts is already doing rather well.

Guido Tielman believes that Chongqing, as the only municipality in inland China, is the interior's gateway to the world. Provided to China Daily

Tielman arrived in the city about 18 months ago, one of his most important assignments being to make preparations for a new consular office. That finally officially opened last month, and Tielman brims with enthusiasm about educating his compatriots and the world at large about this "not well-known" big city.

"As the world's largest city in terms of population, Chongqing is not as well known in the West as Beijing and Shanghai, but it's an exciting city with huge potential," says Tielman, speaking in the consulate's new office in Yingli International Financial Center in Jiefangbei district, a bustling commercial area of the city.

"Chongqing needs to improve its international recognition worldwide," he says, and the Netherlands is keen for the city to work more closely not only with it but with Europe as a whole.

In project numbers, China is the second-largest investment partner in the Netherlands, he says, providing about 9,000 jobs.

"The country represents many opportunities for us. Chongqing, one of the fastest-growing cities in western China, will bring us the chance to tap into the region."

Chongqing has a strategic role nationally as China strives to develop its central and western regions, he says.

"As the only municipality in inland China, Chongqing is the interior's gateway to the world."

The consulate-general in Chongqing has been helping Dutch companies invest in Chongqing and the rest of the region and aims to increase trade between Chongqing and Europe, he says.

"Chongqing and the Netherlands are compatible in many ways, such as in economics and culture. We have put a great deal of effort into promoting economic and cultural collaboration between Chongqing and Europe and expect more between the two, and Chongqing and the Netherlands, in the near future."

The Sinophile Tielman studied Chinese at university in the Netherlands and says his "adventure" in exploring the possibilities of Chongqing playing a role in the growth of trade between Chongqing and Europe is an exciting one.

His interest in Chinese culture is reflected in the interior decorations of the new consular office, with combinations of both Chinese and European cultural elements.

"Whenever I return to the Netherlands I act as a spokesperson and sell Chongqing to Dutch companies and government officials," he says.

The Netherlands and China could work more closely together in some particular areas, he says, including agriculture, the automotive industry and high-tech.

"There is plenty of potential for Dutch companies to grow here. Some have already established their presence here, such as Shell and Inalfa. Yet there is still a lot of work to be done, including publicizing the city more in the Netherlands and Europe as a whole."

In a seminar in the Netherlands in May, Tielman presented opportunities in Chongqing to 150 Dutch companies, 50 of which have expressed interest in the city, he says.

Just as many companies in Beijing and Shanghai have invested in the Netherlands, there is great potential for companies located in less well known Chinese cities to do the same, he says.

"More Dutch companies are coming to invest here as Chongqing becomes more internationally recognized, and many companies in Chongqing are planning to go to the Netherlands too."

He cites the car maker Chongqing Lifan as an example of a company that has already made the move, having set up its European headquarters in the Netherlands.

Chongqing has many assets it can draw on in forming beneficial economic relationships with European countries, he says.

"The city is rich in human resources and can make things more cheaply, and it is strong in research and development."

Chongqing is also well endowed logistically, he says, with its bonded port and the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe railway, which is attractive to many Dutch companies including small and medium-sized enterprises.

"The rail link makes Chongqing the logistics hub for western China and links it more closely with Europe as a whole."

The rail link is more economical than air and sea transport, he says.

"It's time efficient and cost effective. It's no exaggeration to say that with the rail Chongqing has turned itself into a key national transport hub."

Chongqing's strength in manufacturing is also highly attractive to foreign investment, he says.

"The city is very competitive in manufacturing, including cars and computers. One out of four laptop computers in the world is made in Chongqing."

Tielman says that in his spare time he makes a point of walking around the city, meeting locals and trying local food.

The consulate is working with local institutions and government in organizing activities that acquaint locals with Dutch culture, he says.

"Chongqing is a city that symbolizes the future of China. For me it is a city that has its own distinct features but has some similarities to the Netherlands. For example, both Dutch people and Chongqing people are very straightforward. I like that very much.

"The city is as exciting as the flavor of the famous local food, hot pot. I expect more and more achievements to be made in terms of Chongqing-Europe trade as the city gains more global recognition. Chongqing is amazing. Its geography, including endless mountains and hills, which can be energy consuming for many people, are of great interest to me. It is a new frontier of China's growth."

Contact the writers at huhaiyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 12/19/2014 page28)