China, Switzerland vow to further promote innovative strategic partnership

BERN, Switzerland -- Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Swiss officials on Monday and Tuesday, and the two sides agreed to further promote their innovative strategic partnership.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Karin Keller-Sutter, president of the Swiss Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Finance, and held talks with Guy Parmelin, vice president of the Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025.

Ding said that Switzerland is one of the first Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, adding that their bilateral relationship has exemplified mutual respect and win-win cooperation between countries with different social systems, development stages, and sizes.

He recalled Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Switzerland in 2017, during which the two sides reached a series of important consensus, bringing bilateral relations to a new height.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Switzerland, Ding said, calling on the two sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, continue to carry forward the China-Switzerland cooperation spirit of "equality, innovation and win-win," and push forward the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership to continuously break new ground.

Noting that friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Switzerland are in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the common expectations of the international community, Ding called for maintaining high-level exchanges, giving play to the role of bilateral dialogue mechanisms, consolidating and developing correct mutual understanding, and supporting each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

He urged joint efforts to strengthen complementarity of advantages, seek mutual benefits, and accelerate negotiations on upgrading the free trade agreement, and strive for substantive results at an early date. "We should strengthen cooperation on innovation, jointly explore and promote the development of life sciences, artificial intelligence and green technology, and foster new growth areas for practical cooperation," Ding said.

The vice-premier also called for deepening financial connectivity and promoting people-to-people exchanges.

He highlighted Switzerland's unique role in international and regional affairs as a permanently neutral country and host to many international organizations. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Ding said, noting China is willing to continue to make good use of existing mechanisms and channels with Switzerland, maintain communication and coordinate positions on multilateral affairs and international and regional hotspot issues, jointly practice genuine multilateralism, and contribute further to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Keller-Sutter said Switzerland cherishes its friendship with China and is willing to work with China to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the Switzerland-China Year of Culture and Tourism, in an effort to push the Switzerland-China innovative strategic partnership to a higher level.

Switzerland and China share the same position on upholding free trade and opposing protectionism, she said, underscoring that the success story of the Switzerland-China free trade agreement shows that mutual benefit can be achieved through openness and cooperation. She added that the Swiss side is willing to strengthen practical cooperation with China and jointly promote economic development and prosperity through upgrading the free trade agreement.

Parmelin said that Switzerland and China have complementary economic advantages and extensive common interests, pointing to great potential for cooperation in innovation, finance, higher education, and vocational training. Switzerland is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on multilateral affairs and jointly tackle global challenges, he said, adding that his country is ready to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges with China to enhance bilateral friendship.