Swiss firms welcome new visa-free access to China

Last week's decision by China to offer visa-free travel to nationals from six European countries including Switzerland has been welcomed by Swiss businesses as it came into effect on Thursday (March 14).

Swiss nationals, along with those from Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, can now travel to China for up to 15 days without needing a visa. 

The new rules have been praised by Swiss businesses with a presence in China, particularly those that want to expand their operations in the country.

Clinic Lemanic, located in the center of Lausanne in Switzerland since its foundation in 1998, is a global leader in aesthetic dermatology and anti-ageing medicine. 

Co-founder Doctor Veronique Emmenegger says the company sees China as a business opportunity and she's eager to take advantage of new travel rules. 

According to Emmenegger, "for me, it's always last minute that I can go. So if you don't need to wait this time, for me the decision can be taken much easier."

Emmenegger has visited China several times and her son, a musician, travels to China many times a year. 

Clinic Lemanic was at the China International Import Expo in 2023, as part of the Swiss pavilion, to exhibit its micro-nutrition and health boosting products. The firm plans to return to China for the Hainan Expo later this year without having to go through a lengthy visa application process. 

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Jean-Jacques de Dardel, a former Swiss Ambassador to China, now heads the Swiss Centres foundation that helps companies with all aspects of entering the Chinese market. De Dardel believes the new visa-free travel will benefit business in both countries. 

He told CGTN: "Switzerland and China have very good relations and the interest that both Chinese businesses show for Switzerland, and Swiss business people and tourists show for China, it's a very welcome step forward."

According to the Swiss Foreign Ministry, there are at least 1,000 Swiss companies that operate in China. These include big names such as Nestle and Victorinox. But even for smaller Swiss companies beginning to think of entering the Chinese market, the new visa free travel option should make it a more attractive proposition.

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