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China and Switzerland Boosting Ties and Promoting Multilateralism, Swiss Foreign Minister Says

Published: Apr. 28, 2025 8:32 p.m. GMT+8

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Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. Photo: Hu Xuan/Caixin

China and Switzerland are strengthening their bilateral economic ties while jointly advocating for multilateralism amid growing global uncertainties, the Swiss foreign minister explained during a visit to the Beijing last week.

The two sides are aiming to accelerate negotiations to upgrade their free trade agreement (FTA), which first took effect in 2014, with hopes of concluding the talks this year, according to Ignazio Cassis.

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China and Switzerland plan to accelerate talks to upgrade their 2014 free trade agreement, aiming for completion this year, while marking 75 years of diplomatic ties.
Switzerland is China’s sixth-largest trading partner in Europe; China had a nearly $48 billion trade deficit with Switzerland in 2024.
Both countries support multilateralism and free trade amid rising global tariffs; Switzerland praised China’s visa-free policy for easing business and tourism.

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Swiss Company: The article mentions that Swiss businesspeople, including personnel from Swiss companies, have benefited from China’s temporary visa-free policy. A Swiss company representative told Minister Cassis that the visa-free travel made it much easier for them to oversee operations in Beijing, highlighting how simplified travel arrangements have facilitated Swiss companies’ business activities in China.

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