Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Switzerland on Sunday to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and pay an official visit to Switzerland in his first overseas voyage of 2024.

Over the last 74 years of diplomatic engagement, China-Switzerland relations have maintained sound and steady growth, he said. Particularly, since Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Swiss counterpart established an innovative strategic partnership in 2016, exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries have continuously reached new heights, yielding new achievements, Li added.

China stands ready to maintain close communication and coordination with Switzerland in jointly addressing global challenges, Li said.

Li noted that China has always attached great importance to the unique role played by Switzerland in Europe and on the international stage, and is willing to maintain close communication and cooperation with Switzerland in supporting the work of the UN Security Council and jointly addressing global challenges.

In 2023, Li also made Europe his first destination for overseas visits after taking office as Chinese premier.

(Cover: This aerial view taken on December 30, 2023 shows the Alpine resort of Davos ahead of the the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 from January 15 to 19, 2024. /CFP)