The Canton of Schaffhausen is located in the northernmost part of Switzerland, on the right bank of the Rhine River and west of Lake Constance. Eighty-two percent of its border adjoins the German state of Baden-Württemberg, and most of its territory is surrounded by Germany. Schaffhausen covers an area of 298 square kilometers, accounting for 0.7% of Switzerland's total territory, with a population of about 88,000, mainly German-speaking.

The canton has a well-developed economy and was historically an important industrial center in Switzerland. Currently, its key industries include plastics processing, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, and mechanical manufacturing. The manufacturing plant of IWC Schaffhausen is located here. The canton is also one of Switzerland's important producers of wine grapes.

The Canton of Schaffhausen has been vigorously developing a green and low-carbon economy. It is one of the best energy cities and the first new energy city in Europe. For many consecutive years, the canton has achieved reductions in per capita waste generation and per capita resource use.

Scenery of the Canton of Schaffhausen

The Canton of Schaffhausen has rich tourism resources, represented by the Rhine Falls as its most well-known landmark and tourist attraction. With a width of about 150 meters and a height of about 23 meters, the Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Europe and the only waterfall on the Rhine River. In addition, there are other famous scenic spots such as the Münster Schaffhausen and Munot Castle.

In November 2025, Guo Ning, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, held discussions with Christoph Schärrer, delegate for Economic Development of the Canton of Schaffhausen.

Since the establishment of the friendship city relationship, Hunan and Schaffhausen have maintained close high-level exchanges and carried out practical cooperation in various fields such as the economy, trade, science and technology, green and sustainable development, intelligent manufacturing, and cultural exchanges. They have jointly organized multiple events including the China (Hunan)-Switzerland (Schaffhausen) Online Intelligent Connected Vehicles Seminar and Water Governance Seminar and Exchange.

Chinese source: Foreign Affairs Office of the Hunan Provincial People's Government