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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BELLINZONA, Switzerland, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on China and Switzerland to remain true to the original goals of establishing diplomatic relations and continue to serve as a model of friendly cooperation.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the announcement during a joint press conference with Federal Council member and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in the southern Swiss city of Bellinzona.
The Chinese Foreign Minister praised the concluded fourth round of strategic dialogue between the Chinese and Swiss foreign ministers, noting that it yielded positive results. He stated that the two sides held in-depth, pragmatic, and friendly discussions that were strategic, constructive, and forward-looking.
Wang Yi noted that both sides agreed to strengthen political mutual trust.
Switzerland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, he pointed out.
According to the Chinese diplomat, over the past 75 years, both sides have adhered to the spirit of equality, innovation, and mutually beneficial cooperation, followed the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs, respected each other's development paths, and sought common ground despite differences. They have become reliable friends that have stood the test of time and kept bilateral relations at the forefront of China-Europe interactions.
The Chinese Foreign Minister emphasized that China highly appreciates Switzerland's firm commitment to the one-China policy and hopes that the country will continue to support the Chinese people's aspirations for national reunification.
Wang Yi called on the two sides to continue to respect each other's core interests and remain an example of friendly cooperation between countries of different sizes, with different social systems and at different stages of development.
According to him, the parties also agreed to deepen practical cooperation. Switzerland, Wang Yi recalled, was the first continental European country to sign a free trade agreement with China and China's first innovative strategic partner, serving as a pioneer and beneficiary of trade and economic cooperation between China and Europe.
The two sides are currently accelerating work on modernizing the free trade agreement, which will expand the list of goods with zero customs duties and bring additional benefits to businesses and consumers in both countries, Wang Yi noted.
The Chinese Foreign Minister indicated that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Switzerland in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, high-tech manufacturing, and green transition, achieving more tangible, high-quality, and mutually beneficial results.
The Chinese diplomat noted that the parties intend to jointly improve global governance in a context where manifestations of the Cold War mentality, hegemonism, bullying, and protectionism persist, forcing humanity to face a new choice.
Against this backdrop, he continued, Chinese President Xi Jinping, responding to the expectations of the international community, put forward the Global Governance Initiative, which has received wide recognition from the international community, including from Switzerland.
Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, Wang Yi expressed China's readiness to work together with Switzerland to counter bloc confrontation and unilateral bullying, stand on the right side of history, and practice genuine multilateralism.
Joint efforts, he stressed, will be aimed at protecting the international system, the core of which is the UN, as well as the international order based on international law, and at creating a more just and rational system of global governance.
Wang Yi noted that the establishment of the International Mediation Organization is an important part of efforts to improve global governance.
He said China welcomes Switzerland's active participation in this work and expects the country to leverage its unique advantages to promote the settlement of disputes and strengthen harmony and consensus throughout the world.
The minister also expressed China's readiness to encourage closer exchanges and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. He stated that China is prepared to extend the unilateral visa-free regime for Swiss citizens and introduce further measures to facilitate travel to China, in order to jointly create a brighter future for Sino-Swiss relations.
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