Xi Jinping Holds Talks with President Johann Schneider-Ammann of the Swiss Confederation
Two Heads of State Decide to Establish China-Switzerland Innovative Strategic Partnership
On April 8, 2016, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President Johann Schneider-Ammann of the Swiss Confederation. The two heads of state agreed to establish China-Switzerland Innovative Strategic Partnership, charting course for future development of bilateral relations.
Xi Jinping pointed out that Switzerland is one of the earliest Western countries that established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. In recent years, bilateral relations have enjoyed a sound development momentum with closer exchanges and cooperation in various fields and more prominent fruits in bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The two countries have jointly cultivated a cooperative spirit featuring equality, innovation and win-win results and will embark on a wider road for bilateral cooperation.
Xi Jinping stressed that the political foundation of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership in the future lies in adherence to equality, mutual respect, exchanges and mutual learning. The two sides should establish and enhance all kinds of dialogue mechanisms including strategic consultations, increase mutual understanding and trust, and make overall planning in major cooperative areas, so as to effectively implement the new positioning of bilateral relations. The pioneering and innovative spirit is the most distinct feature of China-Switzerland relations. The two sides should combine China's innovation-driven development strategy with Switzerland's innovation advantage on the basis of expanding and consolidating free trade and financial cooperation, support the establishment of innovation cooperation platforms, encourage innovative cooperation between enterprises, universities and research institutes of both sides, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in such sectors as renewable energy, modern eco-agriculture, energy saving and environmental protection, as well as medicine. The joint construction of the Belt and Road initiative has provided broader space for China-Switzerland cooperation, and China is ready to work with Switzerland to enhance cooperation within the framework of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The two sides should create more platforms for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and boost bilateral cooperation in such areas as education, protection of cultural heritage, winter sports and tourism. China is ready to, together with Switzerland, enhance policy coordination and collaboration on international affairs, devote to the peaceful settlement of international and regional conflicts, and pool wisdom on global economic and financial governance.
Xi Jinping pointed out that Switzerland is one of the first European countries to recognize China's market economy status and the first country in continental Europe to reach a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China. China hopes that Switzerland can continue to care for and support the development of China-Europe relationship so as to bring China-Europe practical cooperation in various fields to another new high.
Johann Schneider-Ammann noted that Switzerland and China have maintained good relationship in the principle of mutual respect since the two countries established diplomatic relations. Bilateral cooperation in areas including economy and trade, investment and finance enjoyed a rapid development in recent years. Switzerland is satisfied with the implementation of the FTA and is glad that bilateral cooperation has entered a new era of innovative strategic partnership. Switzerland hopes to further enhance exchanges and cooperation with China in areas such as science and technology, innovation, environmental protection, finance, culture, education and sports. Switzerland is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road initiative and the construction of the AIIB.
Following the talks, the two heads of state together witnessed the signing of cooperative documents in such areas as vocational safety and health, low-carbon city construction and technological innovation.
China and Switzerland jointly issued the Joint Statement on Establishing Innovative Strategic Partnership Between the People's Republic of China and the Swiss Confederation.
Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Johann Schneider-Ammann at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress ShenYueyue, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Qinmin and others were present at the event.