Swiss-China relations marked by mutual trust, dynamism

The relations between China and Switzerland are marked by mutual trust and dynamism, Swiss President Ueli Maurer told Xinhua in a written interview ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to his country.

Switzerland-China relations enjoy smooth development in various forms, Maurer said.

Switzerland is one of the first Western countries to set up joint ventures in China and recognize China's market economy status, while China regards Switzerland as a bridgehead for it to develop ties with Europe, he noted.

Switzerland and China have carried out constructive and meaningful cooperation and dialogue in many fields since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 60 years ago, Maurer said.

In recent years, bilateral communication in such areas as science and technology, finance and culture has been strengthened, while people-to-people exchanges have been intensified, he noted.

China and Switzerland are economically complementary, and cooperation in building a free trade zone will provide opportunities for the two countries to further enhance bilateral trade and investment, and for Swiss and Chinese companies to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in technology and other areas, he said, noting it is in the common interests of the two sides.

For companies of both sides, a free trade zone will be conducive to entering each other's market and increasing their competitive edge, Maurer said.