The Third China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo recently held a showcase in Geneva, marking a significant event for Sino-Swiss economic relations which has evolved substantially over recent years. This opportunity drew considerable attention from Swiss business representatives who acknowledged the expo's pivotal role in stabilizing global supply chains and propelling international trade growth. There is a palpable excitement surrounding the upcoming third edition of this expo, as it promises to further strengthen these collaborations.

During the event, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, Mao Jun, highlighted the robust and healthy growth of the Chinese economy and its potential to catalyze global economic development. He emphasized that China's doors remain wide open for business, not closing but rather expanding, and underscored that the business environment will only continue to improve. He extended an enthusiastic invitation for more Swiss enterprises to invest in China while encouraging participation in notable trade expos like the China International Import Expo and the Canton Fair, which present lucrative opportunities to tap into the Chinese market.

Furthermore, Shen Jian, the Deputy Representative of China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and other Swiss international organizations, pointed out the significant role of the Sino-Swiss Economic Association in acting as a bridge for Chinese enterprises to enter the Swiss market. This relationship fosters meaningful collaborations between Chinese firms and local Swiss partners. The economic association not only plays a crucial role in connecting businesses, but it also encourages foreign investors to leverage various important platforms such as the supply chain expo and the service trade fair to gain a stronger foothold in the Chinese market.

Thomas Born, the Director of the Economic Development Agency of the Western Region of Switzerland, noted that 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland. Throughout the last decade, interactions across innovation, finance, culture, and education sectors have deepened. The launch of negotiations to upgrade the Sino-Swiss Free Trade Agreement signifies an elevated step in their economic collaboration. Born emphasized the intention of both nations to explore new cooperation opportunities and to further cultivate partnerships in critical fields.

The President of the Sino-Swiss Economic Association's French-speaking division, Guo Jingjin, noted that since 1950, Switzerland and China have built a partnership based on mutual respect, trust, and shared visions. Switzerland was the first European country to sign a free trade agreement with China, leading to strengthened bilateral trade, lower tariff barriers, and new opportunities for businesses in both nations. The Economic Association is eager to continue acting as a bridge for economic cooperation between the two countries and is committed to enhancing collaboration with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade to actively promote member participation in the supply chain expo.

Notably, the showcase and the celebration of the Chinese New Year organized by the Sino-Swiss Economic Association's French-speaking division happened simultaneously. This event served as an opportunity for the Sino-Swiss business community to bid farewell to the old year while ushering in the Lunar New Year, strengthening traditional friendships and fostering bilateral trade cooperation. A representative from the Jaquet Droz company, a witness to Sino-Swiss friendship’s evolution, shared stories of familial ties with various sectors in China. Guests enjoyed traditional Chinese cuisine, explored the nuances of traditional Chinese medicine, watched an introduction to the supply chain expo, and engaged in discussions regarding pragmatic economic collaborations, immersively experiencing the allure of China while recognizing the essential role of the expo in nurturing the development of Sino-Swiss trade relationships.