The mission of the Consulate General is to represent Sweden, Swedish Foreign Policy, and promote Swedish interests in Shanghai and the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. Its work includes trade and investment, to contribute to the image of Sweden, and to promote exchanges between Sweden and China. Migration services constitute a large part of the Consulate General’s activity, notably visas for travel to Sweden. It provides consular services and support to Swedish citizens. 16 people work at the Consulate General, three of whom are diplomats from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, and some are collaborators from the Swedish Migration Agency. The Consul-General is Head of Mission. The Consulate General provides consular services to Swedish citizens and issues Swedish passports. The Consular and Administrative Section has a staff of four people. A main work stream for the Consulate General is to increase the knowledge about Sweden, strengthen the image of Sweden among target groups in Shanghai, as well as to promote cooperation and long-term relations between Sweden and Eastern China notably in the areas of trade, culture, and education. The Promotional Section has a staff of four people. The migration services work at the Consulate General is extensive and handles matters concerning visas, as well as residence- and work permits in collaboration with the Swedish Migration Agency. The Migration Affairs Section has a staff of six people. The Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai was first opened in 1863. After its closure in 1956, the Consulate General was re-opened in September 1996 and officially inaugurated by Mr Göran Persson, former Prime Minister of Sweden, on 6 November 1996.