Published on June 28, 2024 at 3:01 p.m.
After a diplomatic drought of more than five years, Switzerland is fully reconnecting with China. From July 1 to 5, the Minister of the Economy, Guy Parmelin, will travel to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, accompanied by a delegation of around thirty representatives of the economy and around ten from the scientific world. . Main object of this visit: the modernization of the free trade agreement signed ten years ago and which remains unique in continental Europe. It is the subject of strong criticism in Switzerland, where shortcomings in environmental and human rights issues are pointed out. Beijing would be open to discussions to extend it to new areas, notably e-commerce.
“On the Chinese side, we see an interest” in revising the agreement, explained the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) to the Keystone-ATS agency at the beginning of the week. Beijing’s current economic difficulties and the recent free trade agreement signed between India and EFTA would promote dialogue. In a press release, the EAER indicates that China is Switzerland’s third largest trading partner, with a bilateral trade volume of 33 billion francs. “And even 59 billion if we include trade in precious metals,” it is specified. This mainly concerns Switzerland’s gold exports to China, which would therefore amount to around 26 billion francs.
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