China’s top legislator Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, welcomed Andrea Caroni, president of the Swiss Council of States, in Beijing on Tuesday. Their meeting marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Reflecting on 75 years of partnership, Zhao praised the equality, innovation and win-win spirit that has driven China-Switzerland relations. He highlighted key areas for future collaboration:
- Strategic Partnership Upgrade: Building on the 2013 Free Trade Agreement, both sides aim to accelerate negotiations on an upgraded deal to tap new growth sectors.
- Mutual Trust: Deepening exchanges across government, industry and culture to strengthen understanding of national priorities and policies.
- Global Cooperation: Jointly advocating for stable multilateral trading systems and resilient supply chains to foster an open international environment.
Addressing sensitive issues, Zhao underscored that the Taiwan question is at the core of China’s interests. He expressed hope that Switzerland will continue to uphold the one-China principle and support efforts toward national reunification.
Both leaders agreed to leverage upcoming commemorations to implement high-level directives from their heads of state and to cultivate emerging fields like green technology and digital innovation.
As trade between China and Switzerland continues to flourish, officials anticipate that this renewed momentum will unlock fresh opportunities for young entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts and global citizens keen on deeper cross-border collaboration.
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Zhao Leji holds talks with Swiss council of states president
cgtn.com
