According to the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swiss Federal Council adopted a public strategy for China for the first Time at its meeting on March 19. The strategy sets out the goals and measures of Swiss policy toward China for the period 2021-24. The Swiss government said the strategy aims to build “greater coherence” in relations with Beijing, even though there are “clear differences in values between the two countries.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “China has developed rapidly in recent years and has become an important international force both economically and politically. Today, China is Switzerland’s third most important trading partner. Relations are built through free trade agreements, innovative strategic partnerships and dozens of channels of dialogue. There are also clear differences in values between the two countries, so it is crucial to ensure a clear and consistent policy towards China.” The statement said, “The new China Strategy represents the Federal Council’s response to current geopolitical developments. Increasing competition between major powers and the polarization between China and the United States are not in Switzerland’s interest. The promotion of globally accepted rules and standards, functioning multilateral organizations and an intact global economy remain key elements of Swiss foreign policy.”
In the area of peace and security, the strategy “emphasizes global and regional security, Swiss domestic security, multilateralism and human rights. Switzerland has made clear to China that respect for the fundamental rights of the individual must be a core element of the relationship. Human rights must be consistently mentioned in all bilateral and multilateral contexts. Switzerland is ready to continue its human rights dialogue with China during the 2021-24 strategy period.” Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, speaking in Bern the same day, introduced the human rights dialogue and trade interests as two key issues that mark the relationship between the two countries. He added that Switzerland wants to adopt an independent Chinese policy and solve the problems. Cassis told reporters that “China’s willingness to engage in dialogue on human rights has waned, while its domestic human rights situation is getting worse.” He said dialogue on human rights in bilateral relations remains a key concern for the Swiss side. He said, “What is newly proposed is that all bilateral agreements will address human rights issues.”
In addition, the strategy’s themes dealing with economic prosperity revolve around issues such as trade, investment, export promotion, Education, research and innovation, and tourism. The Swiss Federal Council seeks to ensure non-discriminatory, mutually beneficial market access for goods, services and investments. This also includes the protection and preservation of China’s intellectual property rights. In addition, the Swiss government aims to modernize bilateral free trade agreements and will analyze in detail the implications for Switzerland of a comprehensive investment agreement between China and Europe. Also in the area of sustainable development, the Swiss side says that the UN 2030 Agenda provides a touchstone for cooperation with China. Therefore, for Chinese infrastructure projects, Switzerland will focus on climate and environment, health, sustainable financial sectors, and development and other forms of cooperation.
Regarding the adoption of the strategy, the Swiss NGO Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) said that the Swiss government “expressed some concerns, but no consequences. It argued that the new strategy follows the uninspired “trade for change in China” and called for stronger measures to develop “a coherent human rights policy, especially linking the economic and human rights spheres. The Swiss Trade Association (SGV), however, welcomed the strategy as “a step in the right direction. Still, the association said the Swiss government “generally downplayed geopolitical challenges.
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