During his state visit to China from April 7-9 2016, Johann Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation, acknowledged that, through the joint efforts of both sides, China and the Swiss Confederation had made substantial progress in their relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties on 14 September 1950. He said mutual political trust has continuously deepened and co-operation in a number of areas, including politics, the economy and trade, as well as science and technology continues to grow. In the process of the development of their bilateral relations, China and Switzerland have jointly cultivated a cooperative spirit with an ethos of "equality, innovation and win-win". The 2007 memorandum of understanding between the two countries on promoting dialogue and co-operation is an important embodiment of this. There are now more than 20 dialogue mechanisms covering a wide range of topics in existence the two countries. The signing and coming into force of the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement is another milestone in the deepening and development of bilateral relations. Focusing on the Belt and Road Initiative, the two sides will continue to widely cooperate within the frameworks of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, while also strengthening tripartite co-operation in the area of infrastructure.

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