Interacting with Europe

Premier Li Keqiang's trip to Switzerland and Germany has had eye-catching results and sent a strong signal to the outside world that China is sincere about more meaningful interaction with Europe at large.

During Li's visit to Switzerland, the two countries signed a series of bilateral agreements on human resources, education and other sectors. It is noteworthy that Li also concluded a historic free trade agreement between Beijing and Bern, which will benefit both nations and bring the world's second-largest economy even closer to Europe.

That China has secured an FTA with a continental European country for the first time marks a significant achievement in the acceleration of its FTA strategy. The move was highly valued in the Alpine country too, with local media hailing it as the most important international agreement Bern has entered into for years.