China, Switzerland get more to cooperate on

"A closer relationship is in the best interest of both countries in a globalized environment," he said.

On the other hand, China is also learning the European way of doing business from Switzerland.

Zhang Yi, CEO of Addax Petroleum, a Sinopec Group subsidiary, said the development of bilateral relations will help boost the confidence and determination of Chinese businesses in Switzerland.

He said an FTA will help Addax better use the capital and human resources in both countries and further develop in Switzerland.

The deepening of bilateral relations can be witnessed in various fields, including tourism.

Switzerland attracted over 500,000 Chinese tourists in 2012, a 30-percent increase over 2011, which, among other factors, led to the opening of direct flights from Beijing to Geneva.

Isabel Rochat, who leads Geneva Airport's board of directors, said the flights are important to the diplomatic, political, economic and cultural development of the entire region.

The new flights will also help boost the development of tourism and Switzerland's hotel industry and the finance sector of the Canton of Geneva, said Rocha, who is also the state councilor of Geneva.

Patrick Odier, chairman of the Swiss Bankers Association,  believed that Li's visit would surely "provide an additional impetus" to the financial sector of the two countries.

"Strengthened cooperation gives access to market intelligence and knowledge on current developments and future strategies, granting Switzerland a vantage point as a gateway to the Chinese market and economy," Odier told Xinhua.