China and Switzerland going strong after 60 years

Central Committee Political Bureau Member Liu Qi hopes hopes the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Switzerland provides an opening for the two countries to to increase mutual political trust and assistance.

Liu, speaking at a reception in Beijing, added that China sees significant value to increasing friendly relationships with Switzerland, one of the first Western countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China.

Liu pointed out that China is Switzerland’s second largest Asian trading partner, and Switzerland is also a key partner of China in Europe.

President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Doris Leuthard, , said the Swiss-Chinese bond has deeply developed since the commencement of diplomatic ties in 1950.

Leuthard said the two economies are complementary and can achieve mutually beneficial results in various fields, including environment, machinery and financial services.

Leuthard was on a working visit to China during mid-August, at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.