How does one say good-bye?

Today (July 24th) is the last day in Chengdu for Ms. Silke Röfer, who has served as consul general of Germany in Chengdu since September 2022. How did she spend her last day before leaving office? And what would she like to say to China and Sichuan?

On her last day, Silke Röfer has cleaned up her office and handed over her last bit of work. After leaving her office, she headed to a table tennis gym for her last training session. She was an avid table tennis player in her youth, but her rackets had to be retired and began to collect dust as she got busier with her diplomatic work. After taking her post in Sichuan, Silke Röfer was influenced by Chengdu's sporting atmosphere and picked up her rackets again. "If there is one place in the world that is best to practice table tennis, it is undoubtedly China."

It is Sichuan cuisine that proved unforgettable on her last day. After table tennis training, she went to eat one of her favorite Sichuan dishes, "I would love to bring its flavor back to Germany."

This dish is Mapo Tofu. "I think Mapo Tofu is a dish that represents the best of Sichuan cuisine." Silke Röfer deems the dish to be as passionate, curious, and energetic as the character of the Sichuan people.

While enjoying Mapo Tofu, she thought broadly about the future of Germany and Sichuan.

Germany and Sichuan have forged a close partnership in trade, economy, and healthcare, and have continued to expand their exchanges and cooperation in fields such as education and healthcare, financial services, and international logistics. Silke Röfer mentioned that in-depth cooperation in healthcare is one of the most significant directions for future cooperation between Germany and Sichuan. In addition to economic cooperation, Silke Röfer, a table tennis enthusiast, said that "sports can tie the two countries together". In the upcoming Chengdu FISU Games, Germany will send a delegation to Chengdu to participate in multiple competitive events, and some of these athletes will also cooperate with the Sichuan International Communication Center to help deepen the friendship between Germany and Sichuan.

With the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Chengdu celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, the future of German-Sichuan relationship is something to look forward to.

Today, we bid farewell to our friend with a bowl of Mapo Tofu.

See you next time, Ms. Silke Röfer!