Themk Swiss head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, hosted a press conference at the ambassador's residence in Beijing on Tuesday. 

Guy Parmelin and the business and science mission at the Great Wall Photo: Courtesy of the Swiss Embassy in China

At the event celebrating the 10th anniversary of China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen met Parmelin and delivered a speech. 

Officials from both countries lauded the economic collaboration and announced plans to begin talks on upgrading the deal to further enhance bilateral trade.

Parmelin led a business and science mission to China from July 1 to 5. During this tour, the eighth Sino-Swiss Economic Forum was jointly held by the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in China and the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing. Under the theme of "Empowerment, Cooperation, and Innovation," at least 400 industry leaders and experts from Switzerland and China convened to focus on the question of how companies in both countries can empower business growth through collaboration and innovation. 

Parmelin praised the increasing exchanges in education and research and underscored the strong connections between Swiss businesses and the Chinese market.

In his keynote speech, Wang Wentao, Chinese Minister of Commerce, said China is developing new quality productive forces, with innovation at its core and fostering new growth drivers.