China, Switzerland get more to cooperate on

ZURICH, Switzerland - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit to Switzerland is not only expected to be a great push for bilateral economic exchanges, but also a demonstration of China's resolution in further opening up and participating in multilateral affairs.

Switzerland is the third leg of Li's first overseas trip as premier. He's currently on an official visit to Pakistan following a trip to India, and will also travel to Germany.

During his stay in Switzerland, Li will meet with a number of senior Swiss leaders including President Ueli Maurer, Vice President and Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter and Head of Federal Department of Economic Affairs Johann Schneider-Ammann.

"Li's visit to Switzerland will push forward bilateral ties and make bilateral cooperation a model of friendly exchanges between countries with different social systems," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao told reporters in Beijing on May 16.

China has become Switzerland's largest trading partner in Asia while Switzerland is China's seventh-largest trading partner in Europe and its sixth-largest source of foreign investment.

Bilateral relations are facing new opportunities for development, Song said.

During Li's visit, Song said, China and Switzerland will sign a series of cooperation documents involving economics and trade, finance, education, culture and climate change.