Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Swiss Confederation President Doris Leuthard at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Saturday, and called for upgrade of their bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Leuthard is among the 29 heads of state and government who will participate in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing on May 14 and 15.

President Xi pointed out that the relationship between China and Switzerland has been accelerated since the establishment of an innovative strategic partnership in 2016.

Xi and Leuthard jointly launched the China-Switzerland Year of Tourism in 2017 during his visit to Switzerland in January this year, and witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation agreements in the fields of innovation, free trade and culture.

Xi also called for comprehensive exchange and innovation cooperation, and urged the start of negotiations on upgrading the FTA between the two countries, strengthen the alignment of “Made in China 2025” and Switzerland’s Industry 4.0 strategies, and financial cooperation between the two countries.

Xi pointed out that China appreciates Switzerland’s active support and participation in building the Belt and Road, and said the Belt and Road Initiative provides a broader space for bilateral cooperation.

Leuthard said Xi’s visit to Switzerland this January was very successful and fruitful, and expressed hope that both countries would promote further cooperation in the fields of innovation, energy, finance, and tourism.

She also said Switzerland appreciates the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to contribute actively.

The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held on May 14 and 15 in Beijing. President Xi will attend the opening ceremony and host the leaders' roundtable summit.

Xi has held meetings with several world leaders who will attend the forum, including Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Czech President Milos Zeman, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, Mongolian Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.