New Swiss president expected to maintain Chinese ties

Doris Leuthard, born in 1963, takes over one-year presidency of Swiss Confederation from Johann N. Schneider-Ammann on Wednesday. [Photo by by Vanina Moreillon/Inedit Publications]

Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, who takes over from Johann N. Schneider-Ammann as president of the Swiss Confederation next year, is expected to maintain the European country's ties with China. Both visited China in 2016.

Schneider-Ammann paid a state visit to China in April and during the meeting with President Xi Jinping, agreed on an innovative strategic partnership, which he says gave an added dimension and fresh impulse to Sino-Swiss bilateral relations.

During the visit, Switzerland signed up as an observer of the partnership agreement between China and sixteen Central and East European countries.

Leuthard, who was born in 1963 and was president of the federation in 2010, visited China in August and had a meeting with Vice-President Li Yuanchao to strengthen longstanding relations between Switzerland and China. She was elected this week, and will serve from January next year.

Leuthard underlined the close economic ties between the two countries, which have continued to grow with a bilateral free trade agreement. She noted that Switzerland was very satisfied with the success of the agreement, which came into force in July 2014.

She said that the relations between the two countries will be further strengthened thanks to the innovative strategic partnership agreed in the spring, which will be rolled out by sector.

In charge of environment and energy issues, Leuthard also praised the positive role played by China in concluding the Paris climate agreement.

The Swiss government is made up of the seven members of the Federal Council, each of whom has the same status, rights and obligations and are elected by the United Federal Assembly for a four-year term of office.

Each member of the Federal Council heads one of the seven departments of the Federal Administration and the President of the Swiss Confederation is elected for one year's term.

To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com