On the afternoon of October 30, President Xi Jinping met with President Guy Parmelin of the Swiss Confederation, who is on a working visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping noted that Switzerland is an important partner of China in Europe, and its cooperation with China has consistently been among the best in Europe. Despite the headwinds of unilateralism and protectionism, free trade cooperation has become the hallmark of China-Switzerland relations. This fully shows the political courage and responsibility of our two countries in pursuing open cooperation, and the unique leading role we have played in advancing an open world economy. In today’s world, economies prosper together if they stay connected, and fall behind when they shut themselves off. China is ready to work with Switzerland to champion openness, strengthen the bond of cooperation, promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly inject much-needed confidence and greater certainty into China-Europe economic and trade cooperation and global economic growth.

President Xi Jinping stressed that China and Switzerland, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, have been committed to mutual success and pioneering cooperation, and turning the spirit of China-Switzerland cooperation featuring equality, innovation and win-win results into tangible outcomes. This relationship has become a shining example of exchanges between countries that differ in size and social system. The two sides need to treat each other with respect and as equals, and strengthen exchanges at various levels and policy synergy across the board. As China is developing new quality productive forces at a faster pace and steadily expanding institutional opening up, it will build the Chinese market into one that is open to the world and benefits all. The two sides need to adhere to mutual benefit and turn the blueprint of open cooperation into tangible results. China and Switzerland need to strengthen innovation cooperation, foster cooperation in such emerging sectors as digital economy, green energy storage and artificial intelligence, build high-quality industrial and supply chains featuring collaborative innovation and shared benefits, and jointly promote AI for the positive, for good and for humanity.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that Switzerland has long played an important and exemplary role in China-Europe economic and trade exchanges. It is hoped that Switzerland will leverage its unique influence, and play a positive role in promoting an upward balance and the steady growth of China-Europe trade. China and Switzerland share similar positions and ideals in supporting multilateralism. The two sides need to deepen multilateral coordination and mutual support, firmly uphold the U.N.-centered international system and international order underpinned by international law, reform and improve the global governance system, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

President Guy Parmelin said that Switzerland has always taken pride in being one of the first Western countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China, which started a long-standing and dynamic partnership. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have always respected each other, maintained close high-level exchanges, and yielded fruitful cooperation results in such areas as trade and investment, scientific innovation, labor and employment. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Switzerland‑China innovative strategic partnership. The two sides have concluded talks on upgrading the free trade agreement in a short period of time and to a high standard. It reflects a high degree of mutual trust, meets the expectations of businesses and other stakeholders in both countries, and will lend new momentum to bilateral relations. Switzerland stays committed to the one‑China policy, and hopes to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with China, pursue win‑win cooperation and push for greater progress in cooperation across all fields. Switzerland attaches great importance to China’s positive role in international affairs and is ready to work closely with China to uphold multilateralism and free trade, and make contributions to world development, prosperity, peace and stability.

Following the meeting, the two presidents witnessed the signing of the Protocol Enhancing the Free Trade Agreement between China and Switzerland and other cooperation documents, including on labor and employment, scientific research, and media.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.