Summer Newsletter 2025

27. Jun 2025 | Shanghai

Greeting from the Consul General

Dear countrymen and friends of Norway in the East of China! The first half of 2025 has proven to be eventful, not to say turbulent. We have all had to learn to expect the unexpected and to tackle increased insecurity. Norway is an open economy that rely on a rule-based trading system and the respect for international law. Norwegian companies are part of complex value chains that are affected by the increased geopolitical tensions. We can just hope that we will have more clarity and calm after the summer.

The Consulate General has throughout this spring continued its effort to support Norwegian interests in our area of responsibility, visiting the different provinces and towns, universities and businesses. For me the highlights have been my visits to Jiangsu and Anhui and all the interesting companies and knowledge centres in the Yang-tze-delta. I learned a lot and met many welcoming and interesting people.

In Norway the electoral campaign has started. The election day is 8 September and Norwegian citizens can cast their vote for the 2025 General Election and the 2025 Sami Parliament Election at the CG office in Shanghai. You can find more information on how and when to vote here.

For us at the Consulate General the Autumn will be many changes. We will have two new diplomats coming, and we have to say goodbye to others. From 1 October this year the visa section in Shanghai will be closed, and all visa applications in China will be handled at the embassy in Beijing. This will not affect the applicants, who will still submit their application at the local service providers. I want to thank all our staff that have worked with dedication and professionalism for up to 15 years.

I would also like to thank consul Maja Nwosu for her hard work over 3 years, and wish her luck at her new posting in New Dehli. I would also like to thank our intern Audun for his contributions the last 5 months. Audun will return to Bergen and start his master’s degree at the Norwegian School of Economics. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours!

Upcoming events:

Torbjørn Rødland photographic exhibition at Yuz Museum

The acclaimed Norwegian photographer Torbjørn Rødland will open his first solo exhibition in China this July. Titled Songs for the Sun, it will be featuring photographs and video work from 2005 to 2023. The exhibition aims to highlight the artist's surreal, meticulously crafted, and psychologically charged photography that delves into the complexities of human nature and desire. For more detailed information, please follow Shanghai Yuz Museum or the Consulate social media accounts.

“Morning and Evening” - Jon Fosse book launch

Thanks to the consistent efforts of the Chinese publishing house and the translator Zou Lulu, Jon Fosse’s book “Morning and Evening” is going to be published in China this summer. The Consulate General is happy to host the book launch event together with Yilin Publishing House and Shanghai Theatre Academy. A series of book promotion events will be held for the public later this year. Stay tuned!

Fudan Nordic Centre Summer Program

Fudan University will be arranging the summer course “Business and Innovation in China” from July 11 to July 25 in Shanghai, with students from all the Nordic countries attending. The course will include academic lectures, practitioners' guest talks, company visits, teamwork exercises as well as individual assignments through which the course takes its participants on an exciting journey full of discoveries about China and what doing business and innovation here involves.

Highlights from previous events:

Nordics for Climate Action

This spring we have hosted many events to promote climate action together with the Consulates General of Denmark and Finland. Some highlights include Nordic Shanghai Climate Cycling, with over 120 cycling enthusiasts from China and Nordic countries cruising along the Huangpu River. The Shanghai Climate Week, when we hosted sessions on Open Innovation and Partnership, Circular Economy, and ESG. Together with Chinese sustainable store HowBottle we also hosted the Nordics for Climate Action youth campaign to promote sustainable living practices and a special exhibition in Shanghai featuring the Nordic efforts toward healthier oceans for all.

World Ocean Day

To mark the World Ocean Day the Consulate and the State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology at Tongji University and held a seminar entitled “Sustain the Blue: Turning the Tide on Plastic Pollution”

The seminar brought together experts and scholars from both China and Norway, along with government officials, business representatives, and university students and faculty, to discuss the urgent challenge of plastic pollution.

Clean Fuel and Green Maritime Seminar

On June 17, we hosted a seminar on the future of green shipping together with Shanghai Transportation Commission, Innovation Norway, and the Norwegian Business Association China.

The seminar brought together key players from both Norway and China to exchange ideas and explore practical solutions for reaching zero emissions in shipping — an industry that currently accounts for about 3% of global emissions.

Design Shanghai

This was the 12th year of Design Shanghai in China, and the 6th year of the Consulate General contributing to the fair. This year’s theme was the Norwegian Scenic Routes. At the stand, also Norwegian companies Jotun and Stokke also showcased their product design.

The Consulate General also hosted a seminar titled Nature-Inspired Architecture and Design at the Consul General’s residence. The event facilitated dialogue between Norway and China in the fields of architecture and design, exploring how design can tackle environmental challenges while drawing inspiration from nature.

Shanghai International Film Festival

In this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival 6 Norwegian films spanning features, documentaries, and short animations where showcased. Friday June 13th was the opening day of the Shanghai International Film Festival. On this occasion the Consulate General hosted a small gathering at the iconic Cathay Theatre, bringing together Norwegian and Chinese film experts and media for the screening of award-winning Norwegian film “Elskling” (Loveable).

Literature and Sculpture

This spring we have received multiple Norwegian artists. In March young poet Fredrik Hagen was in Shanghai for three events where he shared his poetry and intelligent insights with the audience at the long-running Poetry Comes to Museum event at Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum.

In April famous Norwegian author Simon Stranger visited China to launch the Chinese translation of his bestseller book “keep saying their names” (Leksikon om lys og mørke). In Shanghaim, he presented the book on multiple occasions including a very interesting literature night at the Consulate Generals residency.

This spring young ceramics sculpturer Tobias Kvendseth had a residency in the ceramic town of Longquan, Zhejiang. In May he showcased his art at the Open M Art Fair in Hangzhou, joined by the Bergen based artists Trine Lisa Nedreaas and Daniela Bergschneider.

Norwegian musicians touring in China

Norwegian musicians and bands are captivating the Chinese audience in various genres. The Norwegian pop music star Aurora had her first show this February. EDM musician Alan Walker hit the Dreamland Music Festival in May. Norwegian pianist Espen Berg and jazz trio Oddgeir Berg trio toured in China this June. And last but not least, the Norwegian pop music duo M2M is coming back in China in the end of June, tickets were sold out immediately!

17^th of May celebrations

Last, but not least, we have again celebrated our national day in Shanghai. As is tradition, Klubb Norge hosted the main celebrations for the Norwegian community in Shanghai. Just as last year we had speeches, a buffet including Norwegian waffles and hotdogs, and a parade around the area. The Consul General was happy to convey the greetings from His Majesty King Harald and give a speech for the day. Thank you to the Klubb Norge committee and everyone else who contributed to making the celebration a success.

On 13 May, the Consulate General and Team Norway hosted a National Day Reception for our Chinese contacts. This year’s entertainment was truly memorable. Renowned Norwegian singer Maria Arredondo captivated the audience with her beautiful voice. The BI-Fudan Choir, blending Chinese and Norwegian voices, showcased cultural collaboration through singing. And the Bunad catwalk reminded us of that Bunads are not only traditional garments, but also a fashion statement!