China and Switzerland Accelerate Free Trade Talks, Simplify Visa Procedures

In their first high-level meeting since the pandemic, the two countries agree to visa-free entry for Swiss citizens and more visa facilitation for Chinese citizens and enterprises.

• China and Switzerland have agreed to expedite talks to upgrade their free trade agreement and simplify visa procedures for travel between the two nations.
• The agreements were reached during the first high-level meeting between the two countries since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• China has agreed to provide visa-free entry for Swiss citizens, while Switzerland will provide more visa facilitation for Chinese citizens and Chinese enterprises investing in Switzerland.
• China is Switzerland's most important trading partner in Asia and its third most important trading partner globally, after the European Union and the United States.
• The two countries also discussed the planned resumption this year of dialogue between their foreign ministries, touching on issues including development cooperation and human rights.

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