Wang Yi Meets with Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis
On September 24, 2024 local time, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, met with Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis during the UN General Assembly in New York.
Wang Yi said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Switzerland is one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. China-Switzerland relations have been developing along with the development of the People's Republic of China. In 2016, President Xi Jinping and Swiss leaders jointly announced the establishment of an innovative strategic partnership between China and Switzerland, opening up new prospects for bilateral relations. Today, the two countries announced the launch of negotiations on an upgraded version of the free trade agreement, which is good news. Against the backdrop of rising protectionism and anti-globalization, China and Switzerland, as defenders of free trade, must demonstrate with practical actions that economic globalization is unstoppable.
Wang Yi said that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was successfully held, which has drawn up a blueprint for further deepening reform and expanding opening up. Swiss companies are welcome to carry forward the spirit of innovation, seize opportunities, actively explore the Chinese market, and share development opportunities. Both sides should cherish and maintain high-level political mutual trust, adhere to mutual respect and equal treatment, and ensure the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.
Cassis said that the launch of negotiations on upgrading the free trade agreement between Switzerland and China is indeed good news. Switzerland will make every effort to promote the negotiation process and promote economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Switzerland highly appreciates China's development achievements, attaches importance to its partnership with China, and always adheres to the one-China policy. Switzerland looks forward to jointly planning the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year with China and promoting greater development of bilateral relations. The world is facing more and more contradictions and may be divided. Countries need to maintain close dialogue and communication and jointly plan for the future. Switzerland is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China to maintain world peace and promote development and prosperity.
The two sides exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis. Cassis said that the six-point consensus reached by China and Brazil on the Ukrainian crisis is constructive, helpful in finding new ideas for the peace talks and providing a good direction.