On September 14, President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China and President Sommaruga of the Swiss Confederation, exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message, Xi pointed out that the Swiss Confederation is one of the Western countries that establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in the early days. For the 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relations between the two countries have made great progress. The two sides have jointly cultivated the Sino-Swiss cooperation spirit of “equality, innovation, and win-win”, which has become a model of friendly cooperation between different social systems, different stages of development, and countries of different sizes. In the joint  fight  against the COVID-19, the two sides have helped each other and deepened the friendship between them. I attach great importance to the development of China - Switzerland relations and I am ready to work with President Sommaruga to take the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to push forward the China - Swiss Confederation innovative strategic partnership for the benefit of the two countries and peoples. May the friendship between China and Switzerland last forever.

Sommaruga said in the congratulatory message that the exchanges between Switzerland and China have a long history. Over the past 70 years, the two countries have always pursued the principles of openness and mutual respect in developing bilateral relations. It is because of the close and friendly relationship between our two countries that we have been able to overcome the difficulties in the face of the COVID-19. The Swiss Federal Government is willing to push for further deepening of bilateral relations and mutual understanding.

Switzerland is reputed as a world park with rich tourism resources. It is one of the richest countries in the world with the most stable society, the most developed economy and the highest standard of living. Its per capita GDP is always among the highest in the world, and its global innovation index ranks the first. In 2013, China and Switzerland signed a free trade agreement, and Switzerland became the first country among the top 20 global economies to sign a free trade agreement with China.

Over the past 70 years, China and Switzerland have worked hand in hand to forge a beautiful landscape of friendship and cooperation. The officials have worked closely together for 70 years. Friendly people-to-people exchanges build a solid foundation for cooperation.

Recently, Wang Bo, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of China Silk Corporation, attended the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland jointly held by the Swiss Embassy in China and the China Foundation for Peaceful Development. During the event, Wang Bo presented exquisite silk scarves to Swiss ambassador to China Bernardino Regazzoni and other distinguished guests. The pattern was created by Chinese and Swiss artists with a strong ink style and distinctive oil painting color –“Encounter”, using silk as a carrier. The works of Chinese and foreign artists are made into a series of silk derivatives, showing the encounter of the common ideas and reality of China and Switzerland and the harmonious coexistence of the two cultures.

China Silk Corporation actively implements the “Belt and Road” initiative and is making active efforts to spread Chinese silk culture, building a bridge of “people-to-people bonds” through silk culture, and expanding cultural exchanges with countries around the world.

Persons in charge of the Office of the Board of Directors of China Silk Corporation and China Silk Dijin Culture (Beijing) Co., Ltd. also attend the above activities.