Beijing, June 26th—Ma Hui, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland. 

Ma said, China-Switzerland relations have on the whole developed smoothly. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership, and the two countries should strengthen development strategy alignment and tap the potential of innovation cooperation, so as to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win results. Against the backdrop of rising global trade protectionism, China looks forward to concluding the upgrade of the China-Switzerland FTA with the Swiss side at an early date, and steadfastly lead in safeguarding free trade. As economic and trade frictions in China-EU relations have become increasingly prominent, China hopes that Switzerland will play its role in influencing the EU and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations. Switzerland and the EU still hold some misunderstandings and even biases toward China. The two sides should build a correct mutual perception through more exchanges and interactions. Ma also elaborated on China's policies in safeguarding human rights and the rights of ethnic minorities, in the context of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. 

Fasel said, Switzerland-China relations are currently enjoying a sound momentum of development, with frequent high-level exchanges providing political guidance for the continued deepening of the innovative strategic partnership. China is advancing rapidly in a number of cutting-edge technology sectors, and the Swiss side stands ready to strengthen complementary advantages with the Chinese side, deepen cooperation in scientific and technological innovation and industry, and jointly safeguard international free trade and open markets. The Swiss side has no intention to lecture and is glad to see that China promotes equality of the rights of all ethnic groups, diversity in harmony, and common development. In the current turbulent international situation, the Swiss side appreciates the important and positive role China has played in maintaining international peace and stability, and supports all parties in reducing misunderstandings and misjudgments through dialogue and communication, and understanding and respecting each other's interests and concerns. Switzerland supports the EU and China in resolving economic and trade differences through consultation and achieving win-win development through open cooperation. 

Krystyna Marty Lang, Swiss Ambassador to China, and others were present.