Consulate General of India in Shanghai along with Huzhou Municipal People’s Government jointly organized an India China (Huzhou) Business and Investment Forum and India Week celebrations in Huzhou (Zhejiang) from 31 October 2016.  CGI Shanghai’s template of cooperation with Huzhou was a unique initiative bringing together economic, commercial and cultural aspects and intends to transport a truly Indian experience into Huzhou for one full week.

2.      The city of Huzhou in Zhejiang province – located at an hour’s drive from Shanghai - has been a key business partner for India in the Eastern China Region (ECR), and Huzhou companies have shown keen interest in investing in India as part of the projects available under the Make in India Initiative. There was also considerable interest amongst Huzhou people in knowing about Indian culture, films and art forms and given this context, Huzhou was chosen as the second city in Zhejiang Province (after Wenzhou) for launching the India Week celebrations.

Indian delegation calls on Huzhou Party Secretary H.E. Qiu Dongyao (October 31, 2016)

3.      Huzhou Party Secretary Qiu Dongyao received the nearly 30 member Indian delegation led by Consul General Prakash Gupta, who was accompanied by CEOs of leading Indian companies. During the interaction with Party Secretary, Consul General extended an invitation for leading a high level business delegation to visit India to participate in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January 2017 in Gandhinagar.  Party Secretary also assured the Indian delegation of Huzhou companies’ strong interest in investing in the upcoming Make in India projects pertaining to infrastructure and smart cities.

India Week Launch – Rhythms of Rajasthan Dance Performance
(October 31, 2016)

4. The India Week Celebrations commenced with a cultural dance performance titled “Rhythms of Rajasthan”, where specially flown in Kalbelia dance troupe from Rajasthan (with support from Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR)) performed for 500 plus Huzhou audience at the Huzhou Opera House on the evening of 31st October. Vice Mayor of Huzhou Mr. Li Jian Ping, Party Secretary of Propaganda Department Ms. Min Jun and Vice Mayor Yun also joined the inaugural ceremony to announce the launch of the India Week celebrations in Huzhou.

India China (Huzhou) Business and Investment Forum
(November 1, 2016)

5.      Mr. Nagaraj Naidu, Director General of Investment Trade and Promotion Division of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India delivered the key note address and introduced the overall investment environment and guidelines for benefit of companies from Huzhou. During the Business Symposium, CEO’s of Indian companies introduced the latest investment opportunities in India in sectors like Infrastructure, Solar Panels, Roads, Smart Cities, Infrastructure Development, Urban Transportation and Power Sector, which are now available to Chinese companies under the Make in India programme. Additional presentations covered possible collaboration in banking, IT, e-commerce and medical tourism into India. A series of B2B meetings were also organized for participating Indian companies with their Huzhou counterparts. An MoU was also signed between Indian Confederation of Indian Industry – Shanghai Rep Office and China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) – Huzhou for future collaboration in promoting bilateral commercial exchanges between India and Huzhou.

Indian Food Festival
(November 1, 2016)

6.      In addition, an Indian Food Festival, showcasing the best Indian culinary experience, was also launched immediately after the Business Seminar on 1st November afternoon at the Dongwu New Century Grand Hotel in Huzhou. The Indian Food Festival was jointly inaugurated by Consul General and Huzhou Vice Mayor Li Jianping. Two Indian Chefs have been deployed at Huzhou for a week to offer the best possible selection of India cuisine to food lovers from Huzhou.

India through Chinese Eyes : Paintings Exhibition
(November 1, 2016)

7.      Later in the afternoon of 1st November, art lovers from Huzhou were also introduced to an exhibition of Indian paintings (drawn by Chinese veteran artist Wang Zhijie) titled “India through Chinese Eyes”, which would be on display for three weeks at the Huzhou National Museum. The artworks on display include some of the most iconic sites and sceneries from India, which were visited by a group of Chinese artists led by painter Wang Zhijie in 2009.  An Indian booth showcasing select Indian handicrafts was also put on display at the entrance to the Huzhou Museum.

Indian Film Festival at Huzhou Library Auditorium
(November 1, 2016)

8. Given the tremendous interest generated by Indian films amongst Chinese audiences, a week-long Indian Film Festival featuring eight of India’s most successful recent movies – (“PK” “Three Idiots” “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” “Taare Zameen Par” “Queen” “English Vinglish” “Mary Kom” and “Villain” – all in Chinese) were also inaugurated in the evening of 1st November at the prestigious Huzhou Library Auditorium. Nearly 300 students from Huzhou local colleges/ universities attended the inaugural ceremony, which screened “Mary Kom” as the opening film.  The Film Festival was jointly launched by Huzhou city leadership which included Huzhou Vice Mayor Li Jianping, Vice Mayor Min Yun along with Consul General.

9.      All in all, a truly Indian experience was transported into Huzhou beginning 31st October.  It is expected that the Business and Investment Forum coupled with the series of Indian cultural events will foster a better understanding of Indian arts and culture in the minds of Huzhou people and further promote bilateral investments between India and the Eastern China region. Huzhou city leadership is also expected to lead a high level business delegation to attend the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Investors meet in January 2017 – as a follow up to the Business Event.

Huzhou (Zhejiang)
2nd November 2016