Chinese President Xi in Switzerland ahead of World Economic Forum

World Today

China’s President Xi Jinping speaks in the house of parliament during his two days state visit to Switzerland, in Bern, Switzerland, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. (Peter Klaunzer/Pool Photo via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday hailed the ties between China and Switzerland during a speech at the Swiss House of Parliament in Bern.

Xi was in Switzerland on a state visit ahead of attending the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Chinese president told his Swiss counterpart, Doris Leuthard, and other senior ministers that he hoped bilateral cooperation would be strengthened.

He also said he hoped his participation in the Davos forum would underline China’s willingness to help towards efforts at resolving various global crises.

“This time, my state visit also serves towards the common striving for peace and development. At this time, the world situation is undergoing profound and complicated changes, influenced by incalculable and destabilizing factors. With my participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos and my state visit to Switzerland, I’m expecting to help work out mutual solutions for important global problems, and to reach consent with all sides in order to send a positive message to the international community,” President Xi said in his remarks.

Xi is the first Chinese head of state to attend the Davos forum and is expected to be a standout amongst 46 heads of state attending the event this year.

Story by The Associated Press


Jia Xiudong discusses President Xi’s visit to Switzerland.

For more on President Xi’s trip to Switzerland, CGTN’s Susan Roberts spoke with Jia Xiudong from the China Institute of International Studies.