Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with President of the Council of States of Switzerland Andrea Caroni at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Andrea Caroni, President of the Council of States of Switzerland, in Beijing on Tuesday.
Zhao, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland 75 years ago, the bilateral relations have developed steadily, vividly illustrating a spirit of cooperation that features "equality, innovation and win-win outcomes."
China is willing to work with Switzerland to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and promote the continuous development of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership, Zhao said.
He called on the two countries to make proper use of exchange mechanisms in various fields, deepen their understanding of each other's national conditions and domestic and foreign policies, and further enhance strategic mutual trust.
Noting the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, Zhao said it is hoped that the Swiss side will abide by the one-China principle and support China's efforts to achieve national reunification.
Since the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement came into effect, it has played a significant role in promoting the growth of bilateral investment and trade, Zhao said. He added that both sides will hopefully accelerate negotiations on upgrading the agreement and speed up the cultivation of growth points for cooperation in emerging fields.
Zhao said China is willing to work with Switzerland to jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of the multilateral trading system and industrial and supply chains, and to foster an open and cooperative international environment.
He also called on the two countries to take the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th founding anniversary of the United Nations, to enhance multilateral cooperation, maintain world peace and stability, and join hands to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Zhao pointed out that the NPC of China is willing to work with the Swiss Federal Parliament to enhance friendly exchanges among high-level legislative bodies, special committees, bilateral friendship groups, and their deputies. Both parties aim to leverage their respective characteristics and advantages to promote and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
Zhao introduced the relevant situation of China's commitment to the development concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and sharing, and its promotion of sustainable development. He indicated that in terms of development concepts, China and Switzerland share many similarities and commonalities. It is hoped that both sides will enhance exchanges and mutual learning to further inject stability and positive energy into a world intertwined with chaos.
Caroni said China is an important participant in the world economy and global governance, and an important partner of Switzerland. The relationship between the two countries is of strategic significance. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China 75 years ago, the two sides have always adhered to mutual respect and carried out fruitful cooperation in a wide range of fields. Switzerland adheres to the one-China policy.
The Council of States of Switzerland is willing to enhance friendly exchanges with the NPC of China, promote cooperation in various fields between the two countries, advance the negotiations on upgrading the free trade agreement, and strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries, Caroni said. ■
Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with President of the Council of States of Switzerland Andrea Caroni at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
