Swiss president Guy Parmelin (centre) heads to a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (EPA Images pic)BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Swiss President Guy Parmelin hailed an upgraded trade agreement between the two countries on Friday, which bucks a broader global shift towards protectionism.
The accord, due to be signed on Friday, will give Switzerland unusually free access to Chinese markets and contrasts with barriers to trade put in place by the US administration and the European Union.
"It’s a new step in our relations and I think we can be proud of the outcome of the negotiations," Parmelin said. "We have responded to the concrete expectations of our companies and other stakeholders."
