Xi says tourism focus boosts Sino-Swiss ties

China-Switzerland tourism cooperation has injected fresh impetus into the development of bilateral relations, President Xi Jinping said, calling for more efforts to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and enhance practical cooperation.

Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message to the closing ceremony of the China-Switzerland Year of Tourism, held on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In his message, Xi said he made the decision to launch the year of tourism together with his Swiss counterpart, Doris Leuthard.