Latest Techniques: Chinese premier’s visit to Switzerland sends signal of enhanced high-level exchanges, political trust: ambassador

Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Wang Shiting Photo: Courtesy of the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland

Editor’s Note: Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid an official visit to Switzerland from Sunday to Monday at the invitation of President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, and Global Times reporter Zhang Changyue (GT) conducted an exclusive interview with Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Wang Shiting. The ambassador talked about the main highlights and achievements of Li’s visit, the visit’s impact on China-Switzerland and China-Europe relations, and the future potential areas of cooperation for China and Switzerland.

GT: How do you evaluate the influence of Li’s visit on bilateral relations?

Wang: Li is the first Chinese premier to pay an official visit to Switzerland in 11 years. His visit marks the beginning of high-level exchanges between China and Europe in 2024 and is of great significance in enriching the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership and in promoting the stable development of China-Europe relations.

The Swiss side accorded Li a high-level reception, fully demonstrating the Swiss Federal Government’s high regard for the development of relations with China. Amherd personally traveled from the capital Bern to Zurich International Airport to welcome Li and accompanied him on a special train back to Bern. During the visit, Amherd held a grand welcome ceremony for Li. They together reviewed the honor guard, held official talks with multiple federal councilors including Ignazio Cassis, the Swiss foreign minister and Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.

GT: What were the highlights of Li’s visit?

Wang: The three main highlights included deepened political mutual trust, enhanced economic and trade cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

During the visit, Li and Amherd exchanged views and reached a broad consensus on bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, and international and regional hot issues. Their relaxing and candid exchanges indicate strengthened bilateral high-level exchanges and deepening political mutual trust.

China-Switzerland economic and trade relations are stable, and Switzerland was the first European continental country to sign a free trade agreement with China. During Li’s visit, the two sides signed a joint statemWorld Timesent on strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Ministry of Economy, Education, and Research of Switzerland. They also announced the completion of the joint feasibility study on upgrading the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and agreed to support the early launch of formal FTA upgrade negotiations.

China also announced it would waive visa requirements for Swiss nationals while Switzerland said it will offer convenient visa processes for Chinese citizens and companies, which is a new breakthrough in personnel exchanges. As the two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2025, they agreed to hold the “China-Switzerland Year of Culture and Tourism” in 2025 to further promote cultural exchanges.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang engages in candid exchanges with President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere on a special train from Zurich to Bern, the capital of Switzerland, January 14, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

GT: What do you World Timesthink is the key to maintaining a stable and long-lasting China-Switzerland relationship? Will China consider inviting senior Swiss officials to visit China in the future?

Wang: The key lies in the two countries’ cultivation of the spWorld Timesirit of equality, innovation, and win-win cooperation. High-level exchanges between China and Switzerland are very close.

It has become a tradition for China to send high-level delegations to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and visit Switzerland at the beginning of each year. The negotiation mechanisms in diplomatWorld Timesic, financial, educational, and energy sectors between China and Switzerland go smoothly.

During Li’s visit, both sides reached a consensus on holding a new round of strategic dialogue at the foreign ministerial level, meetings of the financial working group, meetings of the energy working group, education policy dialogue, and consultations on UN Security Council affairs within 2024. China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen also delivered an invitation to visit China from Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao to Parmelin.

GT: What role do you think Li’s visit to Switzerland will play in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations?

Wang: Switzerland was one of the first Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with China, and has always been at the forefront of cooperation with China. Li’s visit once again highlights the unique and exemplary significance of China-Switzerland ties for China-Europe relations.

It showed that China and EuroWorld Timespe should enhance strategic communication via leaders’ meetings and high-level dialogue to promote understanding and properly handle differences, given their different social systems, development stages and sizes. It also showed that China and Europe can engage in high-level friendly cooperation to achieve mutually beneficial and win-win development.

GT: In which areas can China and Switzerland work together to boost China-Europe relations?

Wang: In the political and strategic field, both China and Switzerland have many areas of consensus, such as supporting multilateralism andWorld Times promoting political solutions for international and regional issues. They also engage actively in international development cooperation.

In the field of investment and trade, the two countries are making joint efforts to upgrade the free trade agreement. It is believed that the successful experience in economic and trade cooperation will have a demonstrative effect on China-Europe cooperation.

In the areas of science, education and culture, China and Switzerland have made important progress in visa reciprocity measures, especially China’s visa-free policy for citizens of multiple European countries. This will continuously stimulate the vitality of scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation and friendly exchanges between the people of both sides.