GENEVA, Switzerland – China and Switzerland have recently entered into discussions to enhance their free trade agreement and simplify visa procedures for travel between the two nations, according to Chinese state media.
During the first high-level meeting between the two countries since the Covid-19 pandemic, it was agreed that formal negotiations to expand the existing free trade agreement, established in 2013, will commence at an earlier date, as reported by the state news agency Xinhua.
China has also granted Swiss citizens visa-free entry, a decision that emerged from these negotiations.
Premier Li Qiang led the Chinese delegation, and he was warmly welcomed by Swiss President and Defence Minister Viola Amherd upon his arrival at Zurich airport.
As the meeting got underway at the Lohn Estate near Bern, Premier Li received military honors—a rare and distinguished reception for the highest-ranking Chinese representative to visit Switzerland since President Xi Jinping’s visit in 2017.
Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, along with the governor of the People’s Bank of China and high-ranking representatives from other ministries, including Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, were all participants in Monday’s discussions.
The Swiss government disclosed that both sides “engaged in discussions covering a wide range of bilateral topics involving approximately 30 issues, in addition to various current international matters.”
The resumption of dialogue between their foreign ministries later this year was also on the agenda. These talks are expected to address areas such as development cooperation and human rights.
Since 2010, China has been Switzerland’s most significant trading partner in Asia and ranks as its third most important global trading partner, following the European Union and the United States.
A joint declaration was signed by both sides following an assessment on how to advance their free trade agreement, a development that Bern lauds as “a significant step towards the possible commencement of negotiations.”
Xinhua reported that before the end of the year, the two nations will conduct a fresh round of strategic discussions on finance, energy, education policy, and UN Security Council matters.
Although the Swiss government didn’t provide specific details, it noted that discussions also touched on whether Switzerland would be included in the list of countries whose residents can enjoy visa-free entry to China for stays of up to 15 days. Xinhua stated that China had consented to implement a “unilateral visa-free policy for Switzerland.”
Switzerland, in turn, expressed its intent to offer more visa facilitation for Chinese citizens and Chinese enterprises investing in Switzerland.
Premier Li’s visit occurred amid heightened security in the Swiss capital, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also in attendance. Both leaders were set to proceed from Bern to the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.
Get the latest supply chain report news at The Supply Chain Report. Learn more about international trade with tools from ADAMftd.com.
#ChinaSwitzerlandRelations #FreeTradeAgreement #VisaFacilitation #LiQiangVisit #SwissEconomy #TradeNegotiations #XinhuaNews #UNSecurityCouncil #BilateralDiscussions #WorldEconomicForum #EconomicCooperation #SwissDiplomacy #ChinaTradePartner #VisaPolicy
