Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Swiss business leaders in the capital city of Bern on Monday, underscoring the Chinese and Swiss  business circles' common interests in maintaining an open and free trade.

According to the Chinese state-run news agency, Xinhua, Xi met with the Swiss business leaders and urged them to work against all kinds of trade protectionism and seek for mutual benefits for the two sides in their economic and trade cooperation.

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Xi was joined by his counterpart, Swiss president Doris Leuthard, during the meeting where he reminded the business groups of the two nations' beneficial economic and trade relations dating back to the establishment of their diplomatic ties 67 years ago.

Generous Returns

Xi pointed out that Swiss entrepreneurs have always been in the forefront in the West's cooperation with China, enabling them to receive generous returns in their business deals.

Known for its business acumen, the Swiss industry leaders have been China's 'excellent' trade and economic partners for decades, Xi said.

The Chinese leader stressed that the two nations' free trade agreement has boosted bilateral trade and cooperation over the years and the signing of new deals between the two sides during his visit has increased more chances for promoting economic investment.

Stable Growth

Xi told the business leaders that he was confident that the world's second largest economy would have a stable growth in the coming years as he briefed them about the current status of China's economy.

Leuthard praised Xi's persistence in promoting bilateral economic and trade relations, saying the Chinese leader took the time off from his busy schedule to meet with the Swiss industry and trade leaders.

Leuthard said that China has been the top trading partner of Switzerland in Asia and she hopes to collaborate with Beijing in the future to boost the two sides' economic cooperation.

Xi  is currently on a four-day official state visit to Switzerland that started on Jan. 15, the first visit for a Chinese president in the country in the 21st century. He is expected to attend the annual Davos World Economic Forum, a gathering of global leaders and business elite on Jan. 17.

Xi is the first Chinese head of state to grace the affair where he is expected to deliver the keynote speech at the opening of the meeting.

Tagstrade protectionism, open and free trade, globalization, President Xi Jinping, Davos World Economic Forum, Switzerland, Swiss business leaders, Swiss President Doris Leuthard, china