On a visit to Beijing on Wednesday, Interior Minister Alain Berset said about 600 Swiss companies in China were affected by the accord.
The deal exempts companies and employees from paying social security contributions, both to Switzerland and China, for up to six years.
Berset, whose portfolio includes social security issues and culture, added that the accord, which was also signed by his counterpart, Yin Weimin, would also help clarify the situation for Chinese employees in Switzerland.
Negotiations on the agreement began shortly after a landmark trade deal between the two countries in July 2013.
Both countries also agreed to open negotiations aimed at boosting cultural exchange programmes.
Berset stressed the importance of culture for the economy and encouraged artists to participate in such exchanges.
During his three-day trip to Asia, Berset visited development projects in the northwestern province of Ningxia.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The Swiss Alps, a new Eldorado for real estate developers
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
China opens up to Swiss exporters
This content was published on
The 1,152-page document, signed on July 6 in Beijing, opens new horizons for Swiss exporters – even some very unlikely ones. Switzerland could sell the Chinese crocodile meat, (live) monkeys or dolphins, bamboo shoots or dried coconuts. It may sound like madness, but there’s method in it. The deal covers not just real exports, but…
This content was published on
During a meeting with top business leaders in Zurich on Friday, Li said: “We have found common ground and put differences aside over the past two years.” Li added that China’s economy had to grow and adapt. Switzerland was one of the countries which could benefit from it. He said Beijing was keen to boost…
This content was published on
Speaking in Istanbul, Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, said that earlier deals with Turkey, Canada, South Korea and Mexico were ripe for improvement. “We want to update accords to bring them to the level of those agreed with the United States and the European Union,” she told the Swiss News Agency. Ineichen-Fleisch was in Turkey to discuss with the…
This content was published on
China’s commerce ministry announced the details of the accord on Monday, which is expected to be signed in July but must still be ratified by Swiss parliament. Switzerland is the first continental European country to make a free trade deal with China. Under the agreement, duties on Swiss watches would be reduced by 18 per…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.