H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco opens Salon Monaco in Beijing

H.S.H. Prince Albert II, accompanied by the Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr WANG Chao, by the Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Ms Catherine Fautrier, and numerous Chinese personalities, opened Salon Monaco on Tuesday 19 August 2014.

Located in the very heart of Beijing, these 2,500 m² premises, designed to promote the Principality of Monaco in China, house the new offices of Monaco’s Honorary Consulate in Beijing, established in August 2008, as well as a multifunctional space which can be used to host exhibitions, meetings or conferences, with seating for 150 attendees.

The Sovereign Prince then visited the first exhibition to take place in the new space, dedicated to the Principality’s past, present and future. During his speech, the Prince highlighted the importance of the relationship between China and the Principality of Monaco, noting that these relations would develop further in future, thanks in part to the opening of such facilities. The Prince also thanked the HWANG family, which owns the premises, for their generosity and commitment to the "Salon Monaco" project.

H.S.H. the Prince then attended the signing of a partnership agreement between his Foundation and Formula E Holdings Limited. The Prince Albert II Foundation is one of three partner foundations which will benefit from the funds raised through the charity events organised around each Formula E Grand Prix for electric vehicles.

The inaugural Formula E Grand Prix is to take place in Beijing on 13 September 2014. The Prince Albert II Foundation will be represented at the event. A Prince Albert II Foundation representative office in China is set to join the newly opened premises in the near future.

"Parkview Green Beijing" is an ultra-modern complex comprising four office and residential towers, a shopping centre and a boutique hotel enclosed in an enormous glass pyramid. It is a marvel of environmental technology which has received major awards for compliance with environmental standards, not only in its construction but also in terms of the complex’s operation and maintenance (LEED Green Building Rating System Platinum certification). The Principality could not have dreamt of a better setting in which to open its showcase in China. A calendar of events has already been drawn up to take maximum advantage of the potential offered by these spaces and to create even stronger links with the Principality, which will next year celebrate 20 years since diplomatic relations were established with People's Republic of China.