Switzerland, 16 January 2024 (TDI): Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed his willingness to foster bilateral ties with Switzerland and achieve more concrete outcomes in their mutually beneficial collaboration on Monday.
He made these comments during a meeting with Swiss President Viola Amherd, who was accompanied by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Li noted that since the two countries established diplomatic relations 74 years ago, they have achieved remarkable progress and created many precedents.
He also remembered that in 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Swiss leader at the time jointly declared the formation of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership, which has been a key factor in the advancement of their bilateral ties.
The premier said that China and Switzerland are committed to implementing the key agreement reached by their leaders, strengthening the basis of mutual political trust, and advancing the cooperation ethos of “equality, innovation, and mutual benefit.”
He said that China Is eager to maintain close high-level contacts with Switzerland, improve the function of the dialogue and collaboration between the two governments, and speed up the restoration of exchanges in various sectors and domains.
He also noted that both sides should seek more common interests, and enhance cooperation in free trade, customs, and other areas.
And to cultivate and reinforce new cooperation opportunities in green development, finance, and digital economy, thus improving and upgrading their economic and trade cooperation.
During a meeting with Swiss President Viola Amherd, Li expressed his views. The head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, was also present.
Chinese Premier Li noted that bilateral ties have achieved remarkable progress and created many precedents since the two countries established diplomatic relations 74 years ago.
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He also remembered that in 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Swiss leader at the time jointly declared the formation of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership, which has been a key factor in the advancement of their bilateral ties.
The premier affirmed China and Switzerland’s commitment to implementing the key agreement reached by their leaders, strengthening the basis of mutual political trust, and advancing the cooperation ethos of “equality, innovation, and mutual benefit.”
Moreover, Chinese Premier stated that China is eager to maintain close high-level contacts with Switzerland, improve the function of the dialogue and collaboration between the two governments, and speed up the restoration of exchanges in various sectors and domains.
He also noted that both sides should seek more common interests, enhance cooperation in free trade, customs, and other areas, and cultivate and reinforce new cooperation opportunities in green development, finance, and digital economy, thus improving and upgrading their economic and trade cooperation.
Li hoped that Switzerland would keep providing an open, fair, and impartial business environment for Chinese companies in Switzerland.
Li expressed his willingness to enhance collaboration with Switzerland in the areas of cultural heritage, education, youth, and sports.
He urged both parties to maintain close contact and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, boost cooperation in the areas of connectivity infrastructure financing, international development aid, and climate change mitigation, and work together to advance the cause of global peace and development.
Amherd and Parmelin stated that Switzerland was among the first countries to acknowledge the People’s Republic of China and that the Switzerland-China relationship has a long and rich history.
And despite the COVID-19 pandemic, their bilateral trade and investment collaboration has been constantly enhanced.
They said that Switzerland is willing to keep advancing quality bilateral communication with China and strengthen cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, education, finance, science and technology, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
And to work together to tackle global issues such as climate change, public health, and cyber security, and foster more growth of the Switzerland-China innovative strategic partnership in the Year of the Dragon.
They announced during the meeting that China and Switzerland had finished the joint feasibility study on improving the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and agreed to back the prompt start of formal FTA improvement talks.
They will also conduct a new round of China-Switzerland strategic dialogue at the foreign minister level, working group sessions on finance and energy, education policy discussion, and UN Security Council consultations this year.
Additionally, they will use the occasion of the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year to enhance their cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
China announced that it would allow Swiss citizens to enter without a visa, and Switzerland agreed to make it easier for Chinese people and businesses to get visas for investing in Switzerland.
After the meeting, the two leaders observed the signing of agreements on bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
