Chongqing: An Extraordinary and Unique Place

Chongqing: An Extraordinary and Unique Place
Exclusive Interview with Valentín Turís, Acting Consul General of the Consulate General of Uruguay in Chongqing

Between Uruguay and China lies the vast Pacific Ocean, with the two countries nearly 20,000 kilometres apart and flights of over 20 hours — one of the greatest distances on Earth. Yet, remarkably, this distance has only deepened their friendship. The cheers from Uruguay’s football fields always resonate with Chinese fans, while the red joy of the Chinese Spring Festival has gradually become part of Uruguayans’ own festive traditions. This warm connection has brought these distant lands much closer.

In 2019, the Consulate General of Uruguay in Chongqing officially opened. Recently, Chongqing Currents conducted an exclusive interview with Valentín Turís, Acting Consul General of Uruguay in Chongqing.

CHONGQING CURRENTS: In 2019, the Consulate General of Uruguay in Chongqing was opened. How do you evaluate the work of the Consulate General since its opening?

Valentín Turís: Since its opening in 2019, the Consulate General has achieved remarkable results. It has strengthened mutually beneficial cooperation, adapted to changes, and remained focused on deepening the friendship between China and Uruguay. This includes expanding exchanges in trade and investment, arts and culture, education, people-to-people interaction, healthcare, and sports cooperation, all within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uruguay and China.

Notable milestones include the opening in March 2023 of the permanent Pavilion of Uruguayan products in the tower of the Chongqing World Financial Centre, where the Consulate General of Uruguay is also located. This provides an excellent platform for promoting and marketing Uruguayan products in western China, while also serving as an ideal window to promote Uruguayan culture.

I would also like to highlight the numerous official visits of high-level Uruguayan delegations attending major international expositions, fairs, and conferences in Chongqing, such as the Smart China Expo. In addition, it is worth noting the strong bond of friendship and cooperation reflected in the sister-city relationship between Chongqing and San José, which has been further strengthened in recent years through delegation exchanges and new bilateral cooperation initiatives.

CHONGQING CURRENTS: In order to promote economic cooperation between the two sides, what work will the Consulate General of Uruguay in Chongqing further strengthen?

Valentín Turís: We will continue working diligently to foster mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas. This includes increasing mutual visits and exchanges, promoting people-to-people interactions, organising commercial and cultural promotion activities, and actively participating in regional trade, business, and cultural fairs and expositions. After all, our goal is to bring Uruguayan culture, companies, and key institutions closer to Chongqing, and to southwest China as a whole.

CHONGQING CURRENTS: Under the Belt and Road Initiative, in which economic areas do you think Chongqing and Uruguay can strengthen cooperation?

Valentín Turís: Despite the strong momentum in bilateral relations, there remains significant potential to further enhance cooperation in trade and investment, particularly given the sustained complementarity between Uruguay and Chongqing. Likewise, Uruguay offers optimal conditions for Chongqing-based companies seeking a gateway to Latin American markets.

With clear, predictable rules for doing business, a business-friendly environment, strong security for living and working, robust political and economic stability, and excellent facilities for the rapid establishment of foreign companies, Uruguay is an attractive destination connecting ports across Latin America.

CHONGQING CURRENTS: We noted that you have extensive international work experience. In recent years, Chongqing has attached great importance to opening up to the world, especially to building an international business environment. What do you think defines a good business environment?

Valentín Turís: In my view, Chongqing is on the right path. There is a clear and sustained effort to facilitate the establishment of foreign companies by promoting friendly conditions and a strong international business environment. Chongqing offers convenient solutions and excellent infrastructure, playing a unique and important role in China’s regional development and opening-up.

CHONGQING CURRENTS: Since you began working in Chongqing, what aspects do you find most attractive for Uruguayan companies?

Valentín Turís: Establishing a business in Chongqing has become increasingly convenient, with streamlined procedures that save entrepreneurs time and effort. Being present in Chongqing means having access to the most important hub connecting Southwest China. It is also important to emphasise that Chongqing’s strategic location along the Yangtze River in China’s southwest offers major advantages. The Chongqing-Chengdu Twin Hub Mega Region is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country and represents a highly promising emerging market for Uruguay.

CHONGQING CURRENTS: Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium is one of the largest professional football stadiums in China. The Uruguayan national team once played an exciting match there. Are there plans for closer football cooperation between Uruguay and Chongqing?

Valentín Turís: Certainly. It’s worth recalling the visit of the Uruguayan U-20 football team to Chongqing in November 2023 for a friendly match with Chongqing Tonglianglong, as part of their China tour. Uruguay continuously promotes sports exchanges. In 2024, the Consulate General of Uruguay participated in the Chongqing Sports Fair to further strengthen Uruguay’s football presence in China. Football is deeply rooted in Uruguay’s culture and traditions and remains the most popular sport in the country. I am confident that more Uruguayan teams will include Chongqing in their future tours of China.

CHONGQING CURRENTS: Could you express your expectations for your work in Chongqing in one sentence?

Valentín Turís: Living and working in Chongqing has been an amazing experience so far. The people of Chongqing are very friendly, and this vibrant city is full of opportunities for Uruguay. It’s a little difficult to express all my feelings in a single sentence, but I would say:

"I look forward to creating more opportunities for Uruguay and continuing to learn and explore the fascinating and rich Chinese culture in Chongqing — a remarkable and very special place, a shining jewel of China’s modernisation and high-quality development."