Beijing October 20th - 21st

In Beijing several representatives from different authorities met to present the project and to develop the contacts which are a precondition for getting the right kind of support during the coming voyage.
It was surprising to realise how well informed our hosts in Beijing were about the project. And the positive view they had of the ship as a symbol for the peaceful relations between Sweden and China. On several occasions it was mentioned that Sweden has a good reputation in China, not the least due to the Swedish East India Company but also thanks to the positive relationship Sweden and China enjoy today.

Shanghai October 22nd- 23rd

The next stop on the voyage was Shanghai. A city which has enjoyed a fantastic development during the last decennium and the future plans for the city are just as exciting. At the Urban Planning Exhibition Centre a huge model of the city showed the plans for the city. Shanghai is one of eight cities applying to host the World Expo in year 2010.

A seminar and a press conference were held during the Shanghai visit. Around 60 representatives from the city authorities, companies and media took part in these. This resulted in several spots on television as well as articles in the large Chinese newspapers. Shanghai, being a sister city to Göteborg, presented their far going plans concerning the ship?s visit to the city. Suggestions on where to place the ship in port, exhibitions, seminars and activities were for example presented. It was emphasized that the East Indiaman Götheborg?s expected visit was an event given priority to.

Guangzhou October 24th-26th

The voyage went on to the historic destination of the Swedish East India Company, the city Guangzhou (Kanton). Here our hosts took us for a harbour tour to look at possible port locations for the ship. Among the places visited were Huangpo (Wampoa) where the 18th century East Indiamen anchored and cargo was loaded.

As in Shanghai, every one we met was well informed about the project and several delegations from Guangzhou have also visited Göteborg and the East Indiaman project during the last couple of years. As a result of this interest and knowledge a book had been written and was presented, called “Guangzhou the Gateway for Sino-Swedish Trade" about Swedish-Chinese trade relations through the years. On top of this, part one of four of a television series about the trade with Sweden was presented. Here the East Indiaman project and the coming voyage to China played a dominant part. The television series will be shown in the city area (covering around 10 million people), in the province (around 90 million) and also in several other cities who have access to cable networks.

The seminar in Guangzhou and the following press conference were well visited. Approximately 120 representatives from the city authorities, local and international companies as well as media were present. Here also, the ship and the future voyage received large attention in media.

Within the cultural programme an impressing and most appreciated dance performance was held. It can also be mentioned that the chairman of the board, Göran Bengtsson, was given the honour to inaugurate a new museum focusing on the East India trade. Notable and flattering was to see that our new East Indiaman Götheborg was represented in the museum through a model of the ship as well as by several brochures and photos from the shipyard in Göteborg.

Hong Kong October 27th- 28th

The last stop on this voyage was Hong Kong, where we were taken on a tour to check out different locations for the coming port visit. Also here, a seminar was held, attracting about 70 participants from the business sector as well as from media. Hosts for the arrangements in Hong Kong were the Swedish Consulate General, the Chamber of Commerce and the Swedish Trade Council.

Conclusively one can say that the trip to and within China in many aspects was very successful and important. We have had the possibility to spread information about the project and to make important acquaintances and establish direct contact with the official Swedish representation in China as well as with Swedish Companies already based there. We have also had the opportunity to meet with and establish the important contacts with the authorities in the cities we plan to visit on the maiden voyage.

Through this it has been possible to get an idea about the attitude and the involvement in the project from the different cities. It has also enabled us to judge the physical preconditions for the port visits. Above all, the trip has been an enormous source of inspiration for the continued work on completing the building of the East Indiaman Götheborg and to finally head of on the voyage to China, where we are guaranteed a warm welcoming.

Finally we would like to thank the Swedish Embassy and the Consulate Generals that we have visited, for their enormous help and support in planning this trip. A warm thank you also goes to our hosts in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong for their positive reception of us as well as of the project. We are much looking forward to our future contacts and cooperation.