Switzerland

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Switzerland: trade negotiations on hold
Negotiations on the free trade agreement between Switzerland and China are not progressing due to disagreements on human rights issues, according to media reports. The last meeting took place in 2018. Since then, there have only been “informal contacts,” as the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) confirmed to the NZZ. Switzerland would actually be […] continue reading →
Swiss minister: special path for China
Switzerland’s foreign minister is not convinced that his country will join Western countries’ sanctions against China. Bern is taking a “special path” for the important trading partner, Ignazio Cassis said. “It’s a balancing act. On the one hand, we have difficult discussions with China about human rights, but on the other hand, the country is […] continue reading →
Swiss National Council calls for more commitment to human rights
The Swiss National Council is calling for greater commitment on the part of Switzerland to human rights in China. This requires more human resources and a better range of advisory services for companies, according to a resolution adopted on Tuesday. Accordingly, the parliamentary chamber wants to further specify Switzerland’s China strategy on human rights. The […] continue reading →
Swiss exports to China on the rise
Swiss exports to China and Hong Kong have surpassed pre-pandemic levels. According to figures from the Swiss Customs Administration, goods worth CHF 10.1 billion were exported to China and Hong Kong in the first half of 2021. This represents a growth of 24.9 percent compared to the previous year, when the Covid pandemic had a […] continue reading →
Lonza invests in Guangzhou
Swiss chemical and pharmaceutical company Lonza is investing in its Guangzhou site to expand production capacity for pharmaceuticals. “The fill and finish production line will significantly expand the site’s capabilities, supporting global and domestic customers with supply for clinical trials and commercial batches in China.” the Basel-based company reported. The expansions are expected to be […] continue reading →
Chinese dumping steel under fire
The EU is getting serious about the Green Deal. The CO2 border adjustment and the expansion of emissions trading, both part of the "Fit for 55" package, are intended to help achieve Brussels' climate goals. Above all, the border adjustment for CO2 emissions will have consequences for the People's Republic of China. Critics from the European metal and aluminium industry are already certain: the People's Republic will find a way around the border adjustment. continue reading →
Switzerland struggles to find a modern China Strategy
Trade with the People's Republic is booming, and the financial year 2021 promises new records. Nevertheless, criticism of the current China strategy is growing in Switzerland. Can the country maintain its famous neutrality even though it is bound to the People's Republic by a free trade agreement? A dilemma for the Swiss. continue reading →
Switzerland and China plan to expand financial market cooperation
Switzerland and China want to expand their cooperation in the financial market sector. Finance Minister Ueli Maurer recently held a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart and Vice Prime Minister Liu He, according to the Federal Department of Finance (FDF). The two ministers discussed prospects for deepening bilateral relations in the areas of stock exchange […] continue reading →