Swiss ambassador to China, Jürg Burri, highlights Sino-Swiss relations as a model of cooperation

As China prepares for its annual Two Sessions, global officials are sharing their perspectives on China's development and international cooperation in CGTN's special series "Spring Letters: Global Officials on the Two Sessions."

Swiss Ambassador to China Jürg Burri delivered a speech at the "Ambassador Forum" hosted by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China on February 25, 2025. 

Ahead of the Two Sessions, the annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body, and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, Ambassador Burri spoke highly of the bilateral relationship, and expressed optimism about future cooperation under the China-Switzerland Innovative Strategic Partnership.

Here are some highlights from Burri's speech:

History and current state of Sino-Swiss relations

Sino-Swiss relations date back to the 17th and 18th centuries when trade ties were first established. In 1950, Switzerland became one of the first European countries to recognize the newly founded People's Republic of China and establish diplomatic relations. Since then, political ties have remained stable, marked by frequent high-level exchanges and active people-to-people exchanges. 

Economic cooperation has been a cornerstone of this relationship. The countries signed their first trade agreement in 1975, and the 2014 Free Trade Agreement further strengthened bilateral trade. Over the past decade, trade between China and Switzerland has grown by 70 percent. China is now Switzerland's third-largest trading partner, while Switzerland ranks as China's sixth-largest trading partner in Europe and serves as a key hub for technology transfer.

Switzerland's innovation and economic strengths

Despite its small size and population of 9 million, Switzerland enjoys a global reputation for its economic strength and innovative capabilities. Since its establishment as a modern nation in 1848, Switzerland has adhered to a policy of neutrality while fostering strong international ties. Switzerland's economic success is largely driven by education, particularly academic education, vocational training and research, forming an "innovation triangle" that has consistently placed Switzerland at the top of global innovation rankings.

Swiss enterprises in China and Chinese enterprises in Switzerland

More than 1,000 Swiss companies operate in China across diverse sectors, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, watchmaking and precision instruments. These companies have not only achieved success in the Chinese market but have also driven innovation and development through technology transfer and localized operations. 

Meanwhile, Chinese enterprises have made significant strides in Switzerland, with companies like Huawei and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China expanding their presence, particularly in R&D and logistics. As a hub in Europe, Switzerland serves as a gateway for many Chinese enterprises to enter other European markets.

'China speed' and digital transformation

Swiss businesses are also learning from China, particularly in adapting to "China speed" – the country's unmatched pace of innovation, customer service and marketing. This rapid transformation, driven by China's digital revolution, is influencing global business trends. The future trend is not about China adapting to the world's pace, but rather the world adapting to China's speed.

Future prospects for Sino-Swiss cooperation

The China-Switzerland partnership remains strong and full of potential. As 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two countries will host a Cultural and Tourism Year to further promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Switzerland remains committed to an open economic approach, furthering trade, investment, and reducing trade barriers while exploring new areas of collaboration.

Burri also discussed the acceptance of Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the Swiss and European markets. He noted that while the road ahead is long, the Swiss market poses no barriers to Chinese automakers, allowing for completely free trade without customs or institutional obstacles. 

Additionally, the ambassador engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as biopharmaceutical cooperation, intellectual property, enterprise security, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the cultural influences of German-speaking regions – one of Switzerland's official languages.