Chinese vice premier arrives in Switzerland for visit, Davos forum

ZURICH, Switzerland, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang arrived here on Monday, kicking off his formal visit to Switzerland. He will also attend this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech during a dinner party  held by the Economiesuisse, the Swiss Business Federation, at Zurich,  Switzerland on Jan. 25, 2010. Li Keqiang arrived here on Monday for a  four-day official visit to Switzerland, during which he will also attend  this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos.  (Xinhua/Fan Rujun)

During the past 60 years, Li said in a written statement upon arrival, the bilateral relations between China and Switzerland have enjoyed tremendous progress, with frequent top-level official exchanges, fruitful cooperation in trade and economy, deepened exchanges in various fields and smooth communication and coordination in dealing with international and regional issues.

Switzerland recognized the People's Republic of China in 1950, becoming one of the earliest countries in western Europe to do so and to establish diplomatic ties with the new China, Li noted.

The development of bilateral ties enjoys great potential and has a broad prospect, he added.