From July 28 to 31, 2025, at the invitation of President of the National Council of Switzerland Maja Riniker and President of the Council of States of Switzerland Andrea Caroni, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji paid an official goodwill visit to Switzerland.

During his talks with Maja Riniker and Andrea Caroni, Zhao Leji said that Switzerland was one of the first Western countries that established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Over the 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have jointly cultivated a spirit of cooperation featuring equality, innovation, and mutual benefit, setting an example of cooperation between countries with different social systems, at different stages of development, and of different sizes. China is ready to work with Switzerland to fully implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries and promote the high-level development of the innovative strategic partnership between China and Switzerland.

Zhao Leji pointed out that mutual respect and mutual trust are important foundations for the long-term and stable development of China-Switzerland relations. China is ready to maintain the sound momentum of high-level exchanges with Switzerland, and welcomes more Swiss leaders and members of parliament to visit China to understand a real, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive China. Respecting each other's core interests and major concerns is a valuable experience and the right approach to China-Switzerland relations. China appreciates Switzerland's commitment to expanding cooperation with China and hopes to enhance exchanges and interactions to pool more positive energy for the development of China-Switzerland relations. Switzerland is the first continental European country that signed a free trade agreement with China. Since the agreement came into effect, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has grown rapidly. The Chinese side hopes to work with Switzerland to advance negotiations on upgrading the free trade agreement and promote high-quality cooperation in the financial sector, and welcomes Swiss-funded institutions to expand investment in China. The two countries should deepen cooperation in such areas as art, sports, and education, as well as at the sub-national level to consolidate the social and public support for bilateral friendship. Noting that both China and Switzerland are important forces loving peace and advocating multilateralism, Zhao Leji expressed the hope that the two sides will continue to strengthen multilateral coordination, jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard international trade rules and the world economic order, and make global governance more just and equitable.

Zhao Leji said that China's NPC and the Swiss Federal Parliament have long maintained friendly relations and made positive contributions to the development of China-Switzerland relations and practical cooperation. The two sides should further strengthen friendly exchanges between legislative bodies, share and learn from each other's experience in legislation, supervision and other aspects, timely formulate, amend, and ratify legal documents conducive to bilateral cooperation, and enhance communication and coordination within multilateral mechanisms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Maja Riniker said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China. On the basis of mutual respect, openness, and goodwill, Switzerland-China relations have enjoyed steady development and yielded fruitful outcomes. The National Council of Switzerland is willing to strengthen cooperation with China's NPC to play an active role in advancing the upgrade of the bilateral free trade agreement and promoting sustainable development.

Andrea Caroni said that both Switzerland and China uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and firmly safeguard multilateralism. Strengthening cooperation with China is of strategic significance for Switzerland. The Council of States of Switzerland looks forward to further enhancing exchanges and dialogues with China, increasing mutual understanding, and promoting common development.

During his visit to Switzerland, Zhao Leji toured DSM-Firmenich company and expressed welcome for Swiss-funded enterprises to actively expand economic, trade, and scientific and technological cooperation with China to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.