Do you recognize them? Swiss tennis stars Federer and Wawrinka posing with their 2008 Olympic gold medals at the House of Switzerland in Beijing.
Keystone/Alessandro Della Bella
The government plans to launch a major promotion campaign in China ahead of and during the 2022 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympic Games.
As part of a 12-month tour across China, the House of SwitzerlandExternal link – a cultural centre that the foreign ministry has been setting up for such occasions since 2004 – will showcase the diversity of Switzerland along with partners from business, tourism, science and culture.
“The campaign in China offers the opportunity to further deepen bilateral relations,” a government statement said on Wednesday.
“Major sporting events provide great emotional potential, attracting significant attention from the public and the media alike, both at the venue and internationally.”
The government said it will provide CHF7 million ($7 million) for the project, which is due to start in 2021, with about one third to be financed through sponsorship.
Trade ties
The decision comes a day after the finance ministry announced that Swiss President Ueli Maurer is travel to China next week for a state visit. He will also be accompanied by a finance and business delegation.
During the week-long trip, Maurer, who is also Swiss finance minister, will hold talks with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Prime Minister Li Keqing, the finance ministry announcedExternal link.
Switzerland is set to sign an accord as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, boosting cooperation on trade, investment and project financing in third markets.
More
More
How Switzerland lost and regained its Chinese ‘friend’
This content was published on
Relations between Switzerland and China today are very close. Exactly 20 years ago things were very different.
Swiss investigate four people linked to Russian oligarch
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is investigating four individuals linked to Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov.
Swiss government scrambles to deal with egg shortage
This content was published on
From September 1, more eggs intended for consumption may be imported into Switzerland. In allowing this, the government wants to secure the supply of eggs for consumers.
This content was published on
Agricultural research sees new development opportunities for Swiss sparkling wines in the face of declining wine consumption. In a survey, half of consumers expressed a willingness to pay more for local products than for foreign ones.
Locarno spotlights filmmakers from South America and Caribbean
This content was published on
The Open Doors section of the Locarno Film Festival has named the winners for 2024. The spotlight is on the South American and Caribbean regions.
Storm paralyses trains to popular Swiss tourist resort
This content was published on
The railway line between Zweilütschinen and Grindelwald in central Switzerland is expected to remain closed until Friday following heavy rains.
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
‘Glass half full’ rating for Swiss-Chinese trade deal
This content was published on
The Sino-Swiss free trade agreement saved companies CHF100 million in customs duties last year, but not all firms are convinced.
Swiss government rejects takeover restrictions on Chinese firms
This content was published on
The Swiss government has dismissed talk of introducing investment controls on Chinese companies despite requests from parliament to examine the risks.
Credit Suisse to take controlling stake in its Chinese joint venture
This content was published on
The Swiss bank has agreed with Founder Securities to increase its shareholding in its Beijing-based Credit Suisse Founder Securities joint venture.
UBS secures majority stake in a China securities joint venture
This content was published on
Switzerland’s largest bank, UBS, has become the first foreign bank to hold a majority stake in a China securities joint venture.
China’s first state visit to Switzerland since 1999
This content was published on
Next week, China's president will take a trip to Switzerland, marking the first such state visit since 1999. The last visit was disastrous.
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.