Patrick Sourek, from Germany, focusing on international elite exchange for more than 20 years, is captivated by Chinese culture. He was awarded the famous "Ningbo Camellia Award" for his outstanding contributions in Sino-German cooperation, as he founded the Chinese Summer School in Berlin and was dedicated to enhancing cultural exchanges between the two countries. Now, working as the global investment consultant of Hunan Province and the Deputy General Manager of Changsha Hengde Zurbrueggen Investment Co., Ltd, he focuses on promoting Sino-German cooperation and exchanges, including introducing German-funded enterprises, foreign-funded projects, international elites and trades to Hunan. In his eyes, Changsha is a place of treasure. He hopes that more Germans will know and understand the city and explore the endless vitality of Chinese market.


  Why come to Changsha?

  I have been doing business with China for over 20 years and have worked in various cities in China, including Hong Kong, Ningbo and Shanghai. A friend introduced a job in Changsha, where I had always wanted to visit. This May, I came here and was given the honour of an economic cooperator in Hunan.

  How is life in Changsha?

  Now I work in Changsha Zurbrueggen (China) Headquarter and live nearby. Life in Changsha is easeful as it is unlike China’s big crowded cities as Shanghai or Beijing with high population density, and you don’t have to waste a lot of time on travelling. Spicy food is my taste, so Hunan cuisine is adorable to me. You can also enjoy other Chinese delicacies here, such as Cantonese and Shanghai food. The public transportation of the city is very developed and convenient. China has always fascinated me with its history and culture. Chinese calligraphy is what I’m interested in, which makes my life in China filled with fun.

  I am mainly responsible for guiding and introducing German SMEs to China. Many German companies are interested in starting business cooperation and have established a good relationship with China. But a a lot of Germans only know Chinese cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Hunan is still relatively unfamiliar to them. Now my job is to promote Changsha, the treasure place, to Germans.

  What are the favorite places in Changsha?

  I really enjoy staying in Kaifu District, especially the Kaifu Temple, where I can always find a nice and peaceful corner and think about life. Then Orange Island of course, it is a tourist attraction in Changsha as so many people to appreciate the statue of Youthful Mao Zedong and the city riverside scenery here. The third highlight in the city for me is Yuelu Academy at the foot of the Yuelu Mountain. It's really a wonderful place, where you can be surrounded by the nature with the city view. Yuelu Academy, with abundant cultural tradition, is a place of knowledge inheritance for more a thousand of years and the origin of many Hunan elites. Walking along Xiangjiang River is also my favor, the waves and riverbanks will remind me of Rhine River in my hometown.

Source: Changsha Online