Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Switzerland on Sunday for a multi-day visit. Federal President Viola Amherd received the distinguished state guest on the tarmac of Zurich airport at the beginning of the afternoon.
Switzerland was extremely welcoming to the Chinese. It is rare for a federal president to meet a foreign government leader at the airport. Li Qiang is the highest-ranking Chinese government official in Switzerland since President Xi Jinping’s visit in 2017.
A police operation on Sunday afternoon in Zurich Wallisellen is likely linked to Amherd’s meeting with Li Qiang. As various media report, there were several police officers, security staff and a sniffer dog around the train station. Later, a group of people appeared, waving Swiss and Chinese flags.
Something is going on again here in Wallisellen. Looks a lot like a copy/paste of Xi Jinping’s transit a few years ago (one size smaller). If I’m not mistaken: since it is hardly possible at ZRH airport to get a VIP shielded onto the train, they do that here. pic.twitter.com/Ou25tNcGnh
— Oliver Carl📯 (@OliverCarl) January 14, 2024
Police initially did not confirm that the operation was carried out because of Amherd and Li Qiang. However, a spokesperson for the Zurich cantonal police told “TeleZüri” that “a person protected by international law” was at the scene. Photos from the station also show Amherd on a train with a Chinese delegation, which is believed to have included Li Qiang.
Li Qiang wants to meet the Federal Council in Bern on Monday. He will be officially received with military honors at the Lohn estate near Bern. Discussions will take place between the Chinese and Swiss delegations during the visit. Improving economic relations with China will likely be the focus.
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.
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, which starts on Monday. China is considered an ally of Russia and the West hopes to use Beijing to influence Moscow, for example in the war in Ukraine. (dabbing/sda)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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