Chinese state councilor meets Swiss, Russian guests

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Thursday met with Doris Leuthard, Swiss federal councilor and head of the federal departments of environment, transport, energy and communications, and Andrei Denisov, the newly appointed Russian ambassador to China. During the meeting with Leuthard, Yang hailed the sound development of China-Switzerland relations and noted that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Switzerland last week has greatly promoted the comprehensive development of ties between the two sides. He said he believed that the two countries will face new opportunities in various fields including hydraulic projects, the environment, energy and transportation. Leuthard said Switzerland attaches great importance to developing relations with China and expressed congratulations on reaching consensus on a free trade agreement. During the meeting with Denisov, Yang welcomed him to China and voiced hope that China and Russia can comprehensively implement the achievements of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia in March. The state councilor said he hopes the two sides make full play of the advantages of their political relations with a high level of contact, firmly provide support to each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, implement major projects in their pragmatic cooperation, closely coordinate and assist each other on international and regional affairs, and safeguard common interests. Denisov said he is willing to work closely with the Chinese side, earnestly implement the agreements reached by the two states' leaders and promote greater progress in bilateral relations.