China and Switzerland pledge more cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard meet the press after the two sides signed ten cooperative documents to boost cooperation in Bern, Switzerland, on Jan 16, 2017. [Photo by Xu Jingxing/chinadaily.com.cn]

China and Switzerland have agreed to upgrade their free trade agreement with the two countries agreeing to cooperate more on clean energy, sports, customs and intellectual property.

President Xi Jinping and his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard signed 10 cooperative documents on Monday during Xi's state visit to Switzerland.

The China-Switzerland FTA, which has waived most tariffs on goods, came into effect in July 2014.

Switzerland is the first continental European country to negotiate and implement a free trade agreement with China.

China and Switzerland have similar views opposing trade protectionism, Xi said.

He added that economic globalization is an exorable trend, calling on the two countries to provide more confidence and "positive energy" to the global economy.

"The China-Switzerland relationship has become a model for the cooperation between two countries with different social systems, development period and size of homeland," Xi said.

Leuthard spoke highly of China's promotion of free trade, saying that free trade is "of vital importance for an open economy like Switzerland".

Bilateral trade has increased significantly since the implementation of the FTA in 2014, she said, adding that there is still much potential for further growth.

The two countries also agreed during the talks to lift several technological barriers and streamline customs procedures, she said.

China has played a responsible role in facing global challenges, she added.

Leuthard said she was glad to receive the invitation from Xi to attend the Belt and Road international cooperation summit to be held in Beijing in May.