Why Switzerland and China are courting each other

“Many Westerners may have been concerned about China’s rapid development because it’s greater than what they expected,” Maurer said in a joint interview with Chinese media in Bern on April 16. His remarks were published by the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua, which reported on the positive aspects of trade ties.

“But they should respect China’s great achievements as only in this way can the two sides have a good basis for dialogue. Any attempt to close the door of conversation would be wrong,” the Swiss president continued.

As part of his visit to China this week, Maurer will attend the second Belt and Road Forum on international cooperation, “thereby supporting the contribution made by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to developing relations between Asia and Europe”, the finance ministry said in a statement.