At the invitation of Micheline Calmy-Rey, President and Foreign Minister of the Swiss Confederation, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi paid an official visit to Switzerland from May 4 to 5, 2011. Wu Ken, Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland, accompanied Foreign Minister Yang during the visit.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Swiss President and
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey

During the visit, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and President and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey held talks in the official guesthouse of Switzerland. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi firstly conveyed President Hu Jintao's cordial greetings to President Calmy-Rey. He spoke positively of the progress of China-Switzerland relations in recent years, especially since the signing of the MoU between China and Switzerland on Strengthening Dialogue and Cooperation in 2007. Foreign Minister Yang pointed out Switzerland was among the first group of western countries to recognize the new China and establish diplomatic relations with China. Switzerland, with developed economy, advanced technologies, beautiful environment, and rich management experience, has been playing an important and unique role in regional and international affairs. Switzerland is an important partner of China in Europe. Foreign Minister Yang said the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing relations with Switzerland and appreciates the Swiss government for adhering to the one-China policy. China, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, is willing to work together with the Swiss side to continue to show understanding and care to each other's interests and concerns, maintain close communication and coordination, maintain exchanges at the high level and other levels, strengthen dialogue and cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, finance, science and technology, and push for the long-term and stable development of bilateral relations.

Bilateral talks

President Calmy-Rey said China-Switzerland relations are developing smoothly. China has become Switzerland's largest trading partner in Asia. Mutual investment between the two countries is increasing steadily. Switzerland opposes protectionism and attaches importance to the negotiations on China-Switzerland free trade zone. Switzerland is willing to work together with the Chinese side to continue to strengthen dialogue, exchanges and cooperation in such areas as finance, scientific research, intellectual property, and consular affairs.

Foreign Minister Yang meets the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland

Taking time out of his busy schedule, Foreign Minister Yang also visited the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland and had cordial talks with the staff in the embassy. He encouraged them to turn their boundless love to the great motherland and their devotion to the diplomatic undertaking of the motherland into the driving force in the work and forge ahead with innovation and creativity in the work. He also encouraged them to adhere to comprehensive and integrated thinking and operation and strive to open up a new situation for China's diplomatic undertaking.