65th anniversary of relations highlights deepening ties and greater integration

As dignitaries and business leaders from around the world converge in Davos, Switzerland for this year's World Economic Forum, they will discuss the "New Global Context" - defined as the complexity, fragility and uncertainty that is challenging progress at global, regional and national levels - while the relationship between China and Switzerland is in fact headed towards greater integration.

"In 2014, Switzerland became the first and so far only continental European country to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, our third largest trading partner" said Jean-Jacques de Dardel, Switzerland's ambassador to China. "We expect trade volume and direct investments to increase substantially in the following years."

Trade between the two countries is mainly in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machines, precision equipment, watches, jewelry, textile and clothing. Switzerland's services sector should also benefit from enhanced framework conditions.