China, Switzerland fast-track FTA negotiations, enhance cooperation

China and Switzerland have agreed to accelerate negotiations on upgrading their free trade agreement and deepen cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green development, the digital economy, finance and trade in services.

The consensus was reached on Friday during the fourth round of the China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in the southern Swiss town of Bellinzona, co-chaired by Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.

According to a statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry, the country welcomes more Swiss enterprises and products to explore opportunities in the Chinese market. Combining Switzerland's innovative strength with China's vast market will generate strong synergy and provide fresh momentum for mutual development, the ministry said.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland. In 2026, the two countries will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their innovative strategic partnership.

Wang said China stands ready to work with Switzerland to uphold dialogue, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation, setting an example of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries with different national conditions and social systems.

Cassis said Switzerland is ready to deepen cooperation with China across a wide range of sectors and to write more stories of friendship and mutual benefit. He reaffirmed that Switzerland will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy without wavering.

Both sides agreed to continue to respect each other's core interests, safeguard political mutual trust, and maintain the sound momentum of high-level development in bilateral ties.

They also pledged to enhance people-to-people exchanges and education cooperation, with China extending its visa-free policy for Swiss citizens to further solidify public support for bilateral ties.

They also agreed to maintain communication and coordination in multilateral affairs, jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization, and make new contributions to world peace, stability, prosperity and development.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the situation in the Middle East, climate change, and other international and regional issues of shared concern.