Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai

Consul General Annika Hahn-Englund joined the opening of “All Horses, All Bless — China–Sweden Intangible Cultural Heritage Cross-Border Art Exhibition” in Shanghai 🇸🇪🇨🇳 In her remarks, she highlighted how the iconic Swedish Dala horse — long regarded as a cultural ambassador of Sweden — is reinterpreted in new and inspiring ways, connecting with Chinese intangible cultural heritage in a vibrant East–West dialogue. The exhibition also highlights how tradition continues to evolve: Swedish artist Erik Olof Wiklund presents a remarkable reinterpretation of the Dala horse — a microscopic sculpture measuring just 0.007 millimeters, visible only through a microscope — showing how cultural heritage can take new forms while retaining its meaning. Marking the Year of the Horse, the exhibition brings together traditions, craftsmanship, and creativity — demonstrating how heritage can evolve while preserving its core value. A strong example of how cultural exchange continues to deepen mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. 📍 Open to the public: 13 June – 31 August 2026 #Sweden #China #CulturalExchange #DalaHorse #Shanghai

What a great two days in Nanjing! This Monday and Tuesday, our Consul General Annika Hahn-Englund and team traveled to Nanjing again for the China–Sweden Conference on Sustainable Development and Industrial Cooperation. We are deeply grateful to the Qinhuai District Government, Nanjing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, and Jiangsu Provincial Foreign Affairs Office for their exceptional hospitality – from a visit to the historic Nanjing Museum and Ganxi Residence, to a wonderful dinner at the water street and a evening boat tour on the Qinhuai River 🛶, they made the trip truly special. The next morning, we kicked off with a meeting with Mr. Xu Feng , Vice Mayor of Nanjing, alongside representatives from the Jiangsu Department of Commerce and CCPIT, before heading into the forum. We joined a group of partners – Embassy of Sweden in China, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Scania Group China, SKF Group, Beckers, Envac, Mölnlycke Health Care, IKEA, Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China, and Business Sweden and gathered for a rich exchange on China's dual-carbon goals, low-carbon urban development, and the opportunities ahead for Sweden-China industrial cooperation. A sincere thanks to everyone involved for this productive event, we look forward to continuing building on Sweden-China sustainability dialogue. 🌱 #Sustainability #ChinaSweden #Nanjing #ClimateAction #IndustrialCooperation #SwedishDiplomacy

Congratulations to Hazelight Studios, winner of the Government’s Cultural and Creative Industries Export Prize for 2025. Founded in 2014 by Josef Fares, Hazelight has established itself as one of Sweden’s most innovative video game studios. Combining creativity and innovation, the company has demonstrated how Swedish video game development can enhance Sweden’s image and make a global impact. In 2021, the studio released ‘It Takes Two’, a game that has won multiple awards and gained widespread popularity around the world – including in China – showcaseing Hazelight’s ability to create unforgettable experiences. Sweden is a creative superpower, and Hazelight is an excellent example of how Swedish businesses and creative artists can achieve international success through innovation, entrepreneurship and powerful storytelling. This year, Hazelight will be receiving a prize designed by the winner of the 2023 Rising Star Award, Hanna Hansdotter.

On June 9, we were delighted to celebrate Sweden’s National Day with partners and friends at the The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Pudong in Shanghai. Hosted by Consul General Annika Hahn-Englund, the evening brought together around 300 guests from the business and cultural sectors, as well as the diplomatic community. We were honored by the presence of distinguished Chinese guests, including Mr. Wu Wei, Executive Vice Mayor of the Municipal Government, together with representatives from the Municipal People’s Congress, CPPCC, and Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Under the theme “Experience Sweden”, the reception brought a touch of the Swedish summer to Shanghai — with guests enjoying Swedish food, drinks, and entertainment in a setting inspired by nature, outdoor living, and sustainable lifestyles. In her remarks, the Consul General reflected on this being her first National Day celebration in Shanghai, highlighting Sweden as a “season of light” and emphasizing the spirit of openness and collaboration captured in the concept of #MadewithSweden. Guests were also invited to explore the exhibition by the Svenska institutet, offering further insights into Sweden’s innovation, creativity, and global partnerships. The evening featured a special musical highlight, introducing a symphonic concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of Stellaris, created by Swedish game developer Paradox Interactive — showcasing Sweden’s global creative talent. We sincerely thank our partners for bringing this experience to life. Special appreciation to Volvo Cars, our main partner, and to Absolut Pernod Ricard, IKEA, Haglöfs, Oatly, Visit Sweden, Victoria, and BYREDO for their contributions.

On 27 May, the Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai joined Team Sweden partners — the Embassy of Sweden in China, Business Sweden Asia-Pacific, and Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China — for the Shanghai launch of the 2026 Business Climate Survey for Swedish companies in Mainland China. Based on responses from 106 Swedish companies and 10 in-depth interviews, this year's survey paints a picture of resilience in a complex business environment. In her opening remarks, Consul General Annika Hahn-Englund noted that the findings reflect "continued resilience in a complex environment," with both encouraging developments and persistent challenges shaping business sentiment. Some key findings: 🔹 The Business Climate Index increased to 3.2/5, up from 2.8 last year 🔹 68% of Swedish companies in China report being profitable 🔹 38% plan to increase investments in China over the next 12 months 🔹 Despite current challenges, 83% plan to maintain or expand their presence in China The results highlight that China remains a strategically important market for Swedish companies, while intensified competition, pricing pressure, and geopolitical uncertainty continue to shape the operating environment. A sincere thank you to all participating companies for sharing their insights and experiences, and to our Team Sweden partners for the strong collaboration. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/deeSWhVz #TeamSweden #MadeWithSweden #BusinessClimateSurvey Photos: Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China

On 23 May, Consul General Annika Hahn-Englund joined fellow Nordic colleagues and partners in Pudong for the Nordic Shanghai Climate Cycling event. Now in its third year, this growing initiative has become a meaningful platform for Nordic–China exchange on sustainability and active lifestyles. Starting from Qiantan Sister City Park, more than 100 Chinese and international cycling enthusiasts came together for a 24 km ride along Shanghai’s iconic waterfront — from Qiantan to Lujiazui and back. Using sport as a bridge and sustainability as a shared language, the event reflects the strong commitment of both the Nordic countries and Shanghai city to advancing climate action, low-carbon lifestyles, and sustainable urban living. For Sweden, promoting green mobility and healthy lifestyles is a key priority. Events like this bring these values to life — while also fostering meaningful people-to-people connections and cross-cultural dialogue. A big thank you to Pudong New District and all partners for bringing together such an inspiring morning of collaboration, movement, and shared ambition for a greener future. Photos: Pudong FAO Denmark in China Jens Alsbirk Embassy & Consulate General of Finland in China Heidi Höök Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Shanghai Tobias F. Svenningsen

On 19 May, the Consulate General had the pleasure of hosting Swedish Music Moments — a networking lunch that brought together around 70 guests from across the music industry at Fotografiska Shanghai. The event welcomed a visiting Swedish music delegation led by Export Music Sweden (Official) (EMS), offering a window into Sweden’s globally influential music ecosystem and creating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with Chinese partners. From iconic names like ABBA and Max Martin to global platforms such as Spotify, Sweden continues to play a defining role in shaping the sound of modern music. As one of the world’s top music exporters—and the largest per capita—Sweden remains a dynamic and forward-looking partner for the global music industry. Opening remarks were delivered on behalf of the Consulate General, followed by a keynote from Jesper Thorsson, CEO of EMS, highlighting the strengths of Sweden’s collaborative and export-driven music model. The program continued with a dynamic networking lunch and a live performance by Swedish artist Jenny Wilson, creating an inspiring setting for future cooperation. A big thank you to all participants for making this event such a vibrant platform for exchange. We look forward to seeing new collaborations grow from here.

On May 11, Consul General Annika Hahn-Englund attended the launch of ASKO APPLIANCES AB’s new Ultra Series washing machines at the historic Old City Hall on the Bund in Shanghai. The event brought together industry leaders, partners, and media to mark a new milestone for the Swedish premium home appliance brand. Founded in 1918, ASKO is a Swedish high-end appliance brand known for its minimalist Scandinavian design, durable stainless-steel construction, and strong commitment to sustainability, hygiene, and professional-grade performance. In her remarks, the Consul General highlighted the essence of Swedish design—where simplicity, functionality, and durability come together to improve everyday life. She noted that ASKO exemplifies this philosophy while also reflecting Sweden’s strong focus on innovation and sustainability. With more than a decade in China, ASKO continues to strengthen its presence by responding to growing demand for premium, sustainable products. The Consulate General extends its congratulations to ASKO on this successful launch and wishes the company continued success in China. Photos: ASKO

On April 27, Consul General Annika Hahn‑Englund participated in the China Crossroads Event on Nordic Cooperation: Sustainability, Innovation & Economic Growth, hosted at the Consulate General of Finland in Shanghai. The event brought together the Consul Generals of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden for a panel discussion on Nordic cooperation as a distinctive regional model grounded in shared values, trust and practical collaboration. Representing Sweden, Consul General highlighted the historical foundations of Nordic cooperation — often described as the world’s oldest regional partnership — shaped by common values, closely connected cultures, and early institutional frameworks. These structures enabled free movement, labor mobility and practical cooperation across borders, making the Nordic region one of the most integrated in the world. She also reflected on how Nordic cooperation continues to deliver tangible results today, strengthening innovation, sustainability and the region’s collective voice internationally. The event attracted around 80 participants and generated an open and engaging discussion, highlighting strong interest in Nordic perspectives on future‑oriented regional collaboration. Embassy & Consulate General of Finland in China Denmark in China Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Shanghai Anu Vuori Jens Alsbirk Tobias F. Svenningsen

On 22 April, Earth Day, the Consulate General welcomed journalists from around 10 media outlets to a media tour of the exhibition Woodlife Sweden at Shanghai Livat (IKEA). With nearly 70% of its land covered by forests, Sweden has a long tradition of using wood as a renewable building material. The exhibition presents 40 architectural and design projects from across Sweden, illustrating how wood, innovation and collaboration contribute to more sustainable cities — in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As we mark Earth Day, this exhibition offers a timely reminder that the choices we make in construction and design matter, and that collaboration across disciplines is essential to drive sustainable change. Woodlife Sweden is on display at Shanghai Livat, L2 (in front of IKEA) from 16–30 April, and is free and open to the public. We warmly invite everyone to visit the exhibition and join the conversation on how renewable materials like wood can help build more sustainable, resilient and people-centered cities. 🌱 Photos: Livat