China pledges closer ties with Switzerland

Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin on Thursday pledged that China will work with Switzerland to boost all-round ties. The pledge came as Jia met with Bruno Zuppiger, president of the Switzerland-China group of the Swiss National Council, who is leading a 12-member delegation on an 11-day visit to China. Switzerland is among the first Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, Jia noted, recalling rapid progress in bilateral diplomatic relations over six decades. Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, described Switzerland as China's important partner in Europe and stressed the importance China has placed on developing ties with the Swiss side. "China would like to work with Switzerland to understand and take care of each other's interests and concerns in a bid to seek new progress of bilateral cooperation in all fields," the senior political advisor said. Jia said that, as the international situation is undergoing profound and complicated change and the world economy is confronted with instability and uncertainty, "it is in the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples to develop China-Switzerland relations." He called on the two countries to consolidate political foundations, seek mutual benefit, tap potential, upgrade the level and quality of cooperation and promote common development. Jia told his guest that the CPPCC would like to advance ties with the Swiss National Council and learn from each other on how to run the state, work for national economic and social development and contribute to China-Switzerland relations. Zuppiger spoke highly of China's economic and social development, arguing there is huge potential for the two countries to work together. He said the group he heads is committed to providing all-round objective information on China for the Swiss and promoting economic and cultural exchanges. It will continue to make positive efforts for the growth of bilateral relations, vowed Zuppiger.