Bern, January 23, 2025 – The Europe Today: Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with top Swiss officials on Monday and Tuesday to deepen the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership. The discussions, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025, focused on advancing bilateral relations as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held meetings with Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Finance, and Guy Parmelin, Vice President of the Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research.
Strengthening a Legacy of Mutual Respect and Cooperation
During his meetings, Ding highlighted Switzerland’s historical role as one of the first Western nations to recognize the People’s Republic of China, emphasizing that their relationship exemplifies mutual respect and win-win cooperation between nations with different social systems and development stages.
Ding reflected on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2017 state visit to Switzerland, which elevated bilateral relations through a series of significant agreements. He underscored the importance of implementing the leaders’ consensus, fostering mutual trust, and continuing to promote the spirit of “equality, innovation, and win-win” in China-Switzerland cooperation.
Advancing Economic and Innovation Collaboration
Ding called for accelerating the negotiations on upgrading the free trade agreement between the two nations, urging substantive results at the earliest opportunity. He proposed strengthening cooperation in key areas, including life sciences, artificial intelligence, and green technology, to foster new growth drivers for bilateral cooperation.
Highlighting the need for financial connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, Ding also praised Switzerland’s unique role as a neutral country and host to international organizations. He reiterated China’s willingness to collaborate with Switzerland on multilateral issues, practice genuine multilateralism, and contribute to global stability and development.
Swiss Leaders Voice Commitment to Partnership
President Keller-Sutter expressed Switzerland’s commitment to celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the Switzerland-China Year of Culture and Tourism. She emphasized the shared commitment to free trade and openness, citing the success of the Switzerland-China free trade agreement as a testament to the mutual benefits of cooperation. Keller-Sutter also affirmed Switzerland’s readiness to elevate the innovative strategic partnership and enhance economic development through a free trade agreement upgrade.
Vice President Parmelin highlighted the complementary economic strengths of the two nations and the vast potential for collaboration in innovation, finance, education, and vocational training. He also stressed Switzerland’s interest in strengthening communication with China on global challenges and enhancing people-to-people exchanges to solidify bilateral friendship.
Shared Vision for the Future
The meetings underscored the shared vision of China and Switzerland for deeper cooperation and multilateral collaboration. As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to addressing global challenges and building a community with a shared future for humanity.
These high-level engagements mark a significant step forward in the China-Switzerland partnership, setting the stage for further collaboration in innovation, trade, and cultural exchange.
