China and Switzerland mark 75 years of ties, hail mutual respect and equality

This year Switzerland and China are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. It began with a telegram on January 17, 1950 and has grown into a close and mutually beneficial relationship. 

Max Petitpierre, then President of the Swiss Confederation, initiated contact when he wrote a telegram to Chinese leader Mao Zedong expressing Switzerland's willingness to establish diplomatic relations.

The two countries established first official contact in 1906 and a treaty of friendship was signed in 1918 formalizing relations. And in January 1950, Switzerland became one of the first western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China.

'A milestone'

Jean-Jaques de Dardel, who served as the Swiss Ambassador to China during 2014-2019, said that, "the decision was taken because we acknowledged the new China and its governments, what happened then was a milestone."

After 1979, bilateral relations rapidly expanded following the launch of China's reform and opening-up policy. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2007 to increase high-level political consultations and strengthen bilateral relations in all areas.

The Chinese embassy in Bern has had its presence since 1950. Mao Jun is currently in charge of the affairs of the Chinese Embassy in the Swiss capital and he says the two countries made remarkable achievements in relations and cooperation over the years. 

"Political mutual trust has continued to deepen, and under the guidance of the head-of-state diplomacy, China and Switzerland have established an innovative strategic partnership, which is the only one marked by innovation among the strategic partnerships established between China and other countries," Mao Jun said in an exclusive interview with CGTN Europe.

Historic connections

China and Switzerland have been historically connected through trade in pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, the machine industry as well as watches and precision equipment. Both countries mutually benefit from each other's innovation capabilities and market characteristics.

The free trade agreement between China and Switzerland came into force in 2014. Since then, China has become Switzerland's third largest trade partner globally. In turn, Switzerland is China's sixth largest trade partner and the fifth largest source of investment in Europe.

In January 2024, China's Premier Li Qiang visited Bern. 

The two sides have agreed to negotiate an upgrade to their free trade agreement (FTA), which signals further cooperation and strong relations between the two nations. 

The two sides are hoping to enhance market access as well as include new fields like e-commerce in the upgraded FTA.