On February 2, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with Swiss Confederation President Moritz Leuenberger in Bern.

 

Li was satisfied with the development of bilateral relations. He said that both sides have conducted fruitful cooperation in the areas of politics, economy & trade and culture, and China attaches great importance to developing relations with Switzerland, as well as its unique role in international affairs. In order to push for continuous development of comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation, both sides should maintain exchanges at all levels, expand contact in various areas and strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs. China welcomes the Swiss economic community to take more active part in China's economic development.

 

 Leuenberger said that bilateral relations remain close and many ministers of the government of the Swiss Confederation have visited China. Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the areas of economy & trade, culture and architecture have narrowed the gap between both peoples. He was optimistic about the development of bilateral relations and hoped that both sides will comprehensively plan the future of their relations so that bilateral cooperation will achieve more progress.

 

Following the meeting, Li held talks with Vice President & Foreign Minister of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey. Both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen political dialogue, keep closer communication and coordination on the reform of the UN and other international and regional hot-spot issues, enhance cooperation in the areas of trade, finance, insurance, environmental protection, protection of intellectual property rights and tourism, push for exchanges in the areas of culture, education and high-tech and continue dialogue in human rights and other areas in a bid to build up mutual understanding.

 

Calmy-Rey indicated that Switzerland is one of the first countries to acknowledge the People's Republic of China and pursues the one-China policy on the Taiwan question. Li expressed appreciation for this.