China, Switzerland vow closer ties, push for upgraded free trade deal

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said that amid the current complex and severe international situation, China and Switzerland should enhance communication, build consensus, and work together to address challenges.

GENEVA, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Senior leaders from China and Switzerland pledged on Friday to strengthen communication, uphold free trade, and accelerate talks to upgrade the two countries' free trade agreement amid global challenges.

Karin Keller-Sutter, president of the Swiss Confederation, and Guy Parmelin, vice president of the Swiss Federal Council, met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Friday in Geneva, Switzerland.

The vice premier conveyed greetings from Chinese leaders and delivered a signed letter from Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He noted that over the 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, bilateral ties have grown increasingly mature and stable under the strategic guidance of both countries' leaders.

The two sides have achieved growing economic complementarity and fruitful outcomes in trade and investment, He added.

The vice premier said that amid the current complex and severe international situation, China and Switzerland should enhance communication, build consensus, and work together to address challenges.

Both sides should uphold free trade and open markets, accelerate negotiations on upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement for substantive progress, and contribute to global peace, stability, and economic prosperity, He said.

Keller-Sutter said that Switzerland and China have maintained close high-level exchanges in recent years. She said Switzerland is ready to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to jointly make the Switzerland-China Year of Culture and Tourism a success.

She added that the Swiss side will promote exchanges with China at all levels, deepen practical cooperation across various fields, and elevate bilateral relations to new heights.

Parmelin said Switzerland supports multilateralism and free trade, and is willing to work with China to expedite negotiations on upgrading the free trade agreement to reach a more comprehensive and ambitious agreement at an early date, delivering greater benefits to businesses and the people of both countries.

He said the country will also deepen economic and trade cooperation with China in all areas and safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains.  ■