China attaches great importance to ties with Switzerland

China attaches great importance to the relationship with Switzerland and is willing to boost its development, a visiting top Chinese legislator said here Tuesday.



Wang Zhaoguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, made the remarks while meeting separately with President of the Switzerland Confederation Pascal Couchepin, Foreign Minster Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of Council of States of Federal Assembly Christoffel Brandli.



Wang voiced China's thanks to these leaders for Switzerland's support to China's earthquake-relief efforts and the Beijing Olympic Games.



The bilateral ties, which are experiencing a good momentum for development, have witnessed deepened cooperation in the political, economic, social and cultural fields, he said.



Noting the two countries have kept good communication and cooperation at the international arena, Wang highlighted the parliamentary exchange's contribution to the promotion of bilateral ties.



The Chinese legislator, while giving a brief introduction to China's stand and principles on the Tibet issue, also expressed his appreciation toward Switzerland's adoption of the one-China policy.



The Swiss leaders, for their part, voiced their congratulations to China on the success of the Beijing Olympics and spoke highly of China's outstanding organization work and Chinese athletes' remarkable achievement in the competition.



On bilateral ties, they reviewed the steady development of political relations, frequent exchanges between the two countries' parliaments, closer cooperation in economy and trade as well as enhanced exchange in the field of science and technology.



While noting that the two countries have engaged in good coordination and consultation on major international and regional affairs, the Swiss side reiterated that both Tibet and Taiwan are part of the Chinese territory and said it would firmly pursue the one-China policy.



Wang, leading an NPC delegation, arrived in Switzerland Monday for a four-day good-will visit to the European country. The delegation will also pay a good-will visit to Denmark and attend the 5th Baikal Economic Forum in Russia.



Source: Xinhua