China’s number two will be in Bern on Monday – and will Zelenskyj too? A referendum is taking place against the highway expansion

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will meet Federal President Viola Amherd in Bern on Monday. During the official visit, talks will take place between the Chinese and Swiss delegations.

Li Qiang is received with military honors at the Lohn estate near Bern. The Chinese Prime Minister is also participating in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos GR this year.

The Chinese Prime Minister, who has only been in office since March last year, is also participating in this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos GR.

Switzerland and the People’s Republic of China have had bilateral relations since 1950, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA) says are “good and diverse”. Since 2010, China has been Switzerland’s most important trading partner in Asia and the third most important trading partner overall, after the EU and the US.

In March 2021, the Federal Council adopted a China strategy to strengthen the uniformity (coherence) of Swiss policy towards China. It establishes the goals and measures of the Swiss China policy for the years 2021 to 2024 and, according to the EDA, defines them according to the foreign policy priorities, namely peace and human rights, prosperity, sustainability and digitalization.

Speculations about Zelensky’s visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is also expected to visit Bern soon. In any case, rumors are circulating in various media.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet commented on this. On the sidelines of a media conference on Wednesday, Federal Council spokesman André Simonazzi simply said that information would be provided in due course. Zelenskyj also participates in the WEF. (sda)