China will make continued efforts to further improve relations with Switzerland and enhance the friendly cooperation between the two countries in the new century, a visiting high-ranking official of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) said in Bern on Thursday.

 

Li Changchun, the member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Swiss President Moritz Leuenberger.

 

Relationship between China and Switzerland has kept a good momentum since the two countries set up diplomatic ties 56 years ago, Li said.

 

China attaches great importance to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, he added.

 

He stressed the great potential of economic cooperation between China and Switzerland, noting that there are good opportunities for the two countries to enhance their cooperation in this field.

 

The Chinese side welcomes more Swiss businessmen to invest in China, Li added.

 

During the meeting, Leuenberger said relations between Switzerland and China have been developing very well.

 

The president said Switzerland attaches great importance to the relations and friendship with China.

 

To deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation in various fields is in line with the fundamental interests of both countries, he added.

 

Li arrived in Switzerland on Tuesday for a three-day good-will visit. On Thursday, he also held talks in Bern with Swiss Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2006)