Hamburg Builds her Own Burg in EXPO 2010 as the Friend of China

 

Hamburg lies almost equal-distant between the North Sea in the west and the Baltic Sea in the east as the city who gains the most part in the trade of China-Europe. Now over 400 Chinese companies gather in the glorious metropolitan along the Elbe River. This time during the occasion of EXPO 2010 preparation, Shippingchina.com has the honor to interview with Mr.Carsten-Ludewig Luedemann, Secretary of State of Hamburg.

 

J： What is the main goal for your trip to China this time?

Mr.Carsten-Ludewig Luedemann: Coming to China is a great pleasure for me. The trip gives me the opportunity to meet relevant partners and pick up ongoing projects. Above all I am very pleased to hand over the agreement of Hamburgs attendance to the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai. 

 

J： Would you please give a general introduction of Hamburg as the port city?

Mr.Carsten-Ludewig Luedemann: Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany after the capital Berlin and home to almost 1,8 million people. The port of Hamburg on the river Elbe is the second-largest port in Europe and the most significant economic unit for Hamburg. In addition to it`s good infrastructure it is due to the port that Hamburg has been a major transportation hub in Germany and part of the international trade for hundreds of years.

 

J: As the port city Hamburg is closely related to China on trade, shipping, manufacturing and so on, especially with the Chinese city Shanghai who will hold the EXPO 2010 in which Hamburg city will play an important role. So could you please give an introduction about the close sistership of the two cities?

Mr.Carsten-Ludewig Luedemann: Shanghai and Hamburg are closely bonded as sister cities since 1986 even though the ties of friendship between our cities go back further more and extend all clusters, like economy, policy, tourism and port as well as culture and education. On the basis of this sister-city partnership, cooperation and exchange in many areas have been established, e.g. on the cultural, scientific and educational level. In the meantime a close friendship between both cities has been established with student`s exchanges and partnerships between universities and schools.

 

J: What is your city preparing  for EXPO 2010 now and what does your city expect to gain from this exposition? Do you think that EXPO 2010 can be a turning point to stimulate world economy?

Mr.Carsten-Ludewig Luedemann: Hamburg will be the only German city which is presented on the EXPO 2010 by an own building. Therefore Hamburg intends to put up a building on highest environmental standard combining living and working under it`s roof. This is the way Hamburg introduces itself as a modern and livable metropolis to the international public. The EXPO 2010 is the first world exposition focussing on city life. People from all over the world will come to Shanghai and catch up on the issue “Better city, Better life”. For this reason the EXPO 2010 will hopefully stimulate the world economy on the key aspects of the exposition.

 

J: In 2008 as the friend of China your city committed many Sino-Europe activities, among which China Time 2008 was one of the most famous. Could you give us an introduction of this grand event China Time 2008?

Mr.Carsten-Ludewig Luedemann: China Time Hamburg 2008 attracted the public attention to the far-eastern growth region of China by many events in the range of culture, business, environment, policy, education and science as well as sport and health. The programme included the Chinese market in front of the town hall, a two-day dragon boat race on the river ‘Alster', a large dragon and lion procession in the inner city, as well as a celebratory event in the town hall. Highlight of China Time Hamburg 2008 was the opening of the new Hamburg-Shanghai Europe Tourism and Cultural Centre with a Chinese Tea-House. The centre is a present of our sister city Shanghai. Apart from offering traditional Chinese cuisine and valuable information about the world of tea many cultural events take place in it. In terms of its architecture, the Chinese tea-house is modelled on the famous Huxingting Tea-House in Shanghai's Yu Garden.

Hamburg is now looking forward to China Time 2010 which, once again, will reveal the close friendship between Hamburg and China.  

 

J: Thank you for your participation in DIALOGUE.

Journalist: Betty Chen