On May 5, 2011, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with President and Foreign Minister of the Swiss Confederation Calmy-Rey in Bern.

During the meeting, Yang spoke highly of the progress China and Switzerland have achieved in their relations in recent years, especially since the signing of a memorandum on strengthening bilateral dialogue and cooperation in 2007. Yang said the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing ties with Switzerland and appreciates the Swiss government's adherence to the one-China policy. China is ready to work with the Swiss side to continue understanding and taking care of each other's interests and concerns, keeping close communication and coordination, maintaining exchanges at top and other levels, enhancing dialogue and cooperation in economy, trade, finance, science and technology, and pushing for long-term steady growth of bilateral ties, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, he said.

Calmy-Rey said Swiss-Chinese ties have grown smoothly, with China becoming Switzerland's largest trading partner in Asia and their investments in each other's countries rising constantly. Calmy-Rey said Switzerland is opposed to protectionism, attaches importance to negotiations on free trade area with China, and is willing to strengthen dialogue, exchanges and cooperation with China in the fields of finance, scientific research, intellectual property rights and consular affairs.

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.