Interview: 65 years of Sino-Swiss relations celebrated amid positive economic outlook

One of the first countries to formally recognize the People's Republic of China less than a year after its proclamation in 1949, Switzerland has long been considered an important partner on both the political and economic front, Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland said.

"No matter how the international landscape has changed, Sino-Swiss relations have maintained a good momentum of healthy development, especially since China's reforms and opening up," Ambassador Xu Jinghu told Xinhua on Monday.

September 14 marks 65 years since diplomatic relations were established between both countries, amid economic and political trends that show that the Sino-Swiss relationship is continuing to flourish.

Xu explained that China's economic transformation and upgrading has facilitated pragmatic Sino-Swiss bilateral cooperation in a range of fields including trade, finance, innovation, culture, education, tourism and other prospects.

A tangible example of a cooperative measure reaping real benefits for both countries has been the successful setting up of the Sino-Swiss Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which came into effect in July last year.

The FTA, a pact intended to improve market access for goods and services while enhancing legal security for the protection of intellectual property and for bilateral economic relations, has already proven its worth in fostering a more streamlined and effective trade environment between both countries.

Recent statistics show that Swiss exports to China rose by 3 percent while imports from the Asia's economic powerhouse increased by at least 4 percent between July 2014 and May this year.

Swiss exports to China include machines and instruments, watches and chemical and pharmaceutical products, while Chinese exports to the Swiss market include machinery, textiles and clothing, watchmaking and chemical products.

The trade in services is also considerable, as many Swiss service providers such as banks, insurance, logistics and quality inspection companies and management consultants operate in China, while Chinese service providers are showing an increased interest in setting up business in Switzerland.

According to the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Swiss companies are benefiting from improved access to China's substantial and growing goods and services sectors, while the FTA is seen as a way to not only secure jobs in Switzerland but also as a means to open up new opportunities for the confederation's export industry.

"From the trade structure, the proportion of high-tech, high value-added products and trade in services increased, and the quality of Sino-Swiss economic and trade cooperation is to be further enhanced," Xu reported.

A case in point is the setting up of the China Construction Bank's Zurich Branch soon, part of a broader plan to internationalize China's national currency, decrease dependence on the dollar and diversify investments.

In light of this, Xu indicated that "Switzerland will become an important symbol in the construction of offshore yuan market development."

The ambassador also mentioned the importance of Switzerland as a neutral partner and lauded the country's efforts to promote "positive neutrality and good offices diplomacy to enhance its international status and influence."

"We believe that with joint efforts, the Sino-Swiss relations within the new starting point of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations will scale new heights, reaching new and higher levels of cooperation," Xu concluded. Enditem