Swiss raise Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang during Chinese envoy’s visit
Economic opportunities were another major topic of discussion.
Keystone / Alessandro Della Valle
China’s handling of the Hong Kong protests and treatment of minorities in Tibet and Xinjiang were discussed during an official visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Switzerland.
Wang was received by Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis at the Swiss capital on Tuesday. The Chinese foreign minister also met Swiss President Ueli Maurer. According to a government statement, Cassis discussed the current situation in Hong Kong and relayed Swiss concerns about minorities, particularly those in Tibet and in Xinjiang.
“Bilateral discussions on human rights issues and multilateral initiatives are complementary instruments,” said Cassis.
Economic ties was the other major subject of discussions. Cassis welcomed China’s recent announcement to remove certain restrictions on foreign ownership of companies and create a more level playing field for foreign firms.
“In this context, an update of the free trade agreement and access to the financial market are very important for Swiss companies,” said a government statement.
China is Switzerland’s third largest trading partner after the EU and the US, with an annual trade volume of CHF44 billion ($44.5 billion) in 2018. Cassis and Wang also discussed the Belt and Road Initiative that aims to build transport infrastructure in countries along the ancient Silk Route. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in third markets was signed in April this year to strengthen cooperation in this project. Cassis stressed that the Belt and Road Initiative projects must meet social and environmental quality standards.
More
More
Why Switzerland and China are courting each other
This content was published on
The Swiss president is in China, where he will sign a memorandum of understanding focusing on finance and trade. What’s in it for both countries?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss-backed ‘Hera’ asteroid mission hits key milestone with Mars flyby
This content was published on
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the Red Planet’s gravity will tweak the probe’s path, cutting months off the journey and saving a lot of fuel.
Swiss man arrested over Geneva parcel bomb attacks
This content was published on
A 61-year-old Swiss man was arrested in Geneva in connection with the parcel bomb incidents that left a man and a 12-year-old girl seriously injured.
UN officials in Geneva report over 100 civilian executions in western Syria
This content was published on
Verification is ongoing, and the actual number is likely higher, said a UN spokesperson in Geneva. A Syrian NGO claims executions could exceed 1,000.
Swiss pharma giant Roche partners with Zealand Pharma on new obesity treatment
This content was published on
Roche announced that it has struck an exclusive deal with Denmark's Zealand Pharma to develop and market petrelintide, a new treatment for obesity.
Experts lower Swiss growth forecasts due to US trade tensions
This content was published on
The uncertainty caused by ongoing trade conflicts is making companies hesitant to make decisions, which significantly hinders investment.
Swiss abbot resumes role following abuse investigation
This content was published on
Scarcella was accused in the Catholic Church abuse scandal last autumn. In October 2024, the Vatican declared there was no evidence of abuse or harassment against him.
Swiss stock exchange operator SIX to cut 150 jobs in efficiency drive
This content was published on
"We're not revealing the number of job losses at each location at the moment," said a SIX spokesperson. However, there will be cuts in Switzerland as well.
Martin Pfister named new Swiss government minister
This content was published on
Pfister’s election keeps the linguistic balance of Switzerland’s government, but shifts gender balance to only two women.
Swiss interior minister meets UN leaders in New York for women’s rights session
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister also held bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women
The image of foreigners in Switzerland has deteriorated
This content was published on
The Federal Statistical Office has found that Swiss people’s views of foreigners have worsened over the last couple of years.
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
Swiss president defends controversial Chinese project
This content was published on
Ueli Maurer says it’s important for Switzerland to take part in the Belt and Road summit and bring its own values to the table.
Chinese firms stole sensitive data from Swiss-based competitor
This content was published on
The news comes days after the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service had highlighted the ongoing threat of Chinese espionage in its annual report on the risks facing Switzerland. The SonntagsZeitungExternal link reports that the victim of this case was a Swiss subsidiary of the Dutch company BesiExternal link, which manufactures machines that make computer chips. The perpetrators…
Tibetans in Switzerland denounce China’s intimidation tactics
This content was published on
The Tibetan diaspora community in Switzerland accuses the Chinese government of using repressive tactics in the Alpine nation.
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.