Foreign Minister to visit Switzerland

Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay a three-day official visit to Switzerland, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang announced on Friday.

Starting Saturday, the visit is at the invitation of the Swiss Federal Councilor and head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter.

Wang will meet Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann and talk with Burkhalter to exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, according to Lu.

The foreign minister will also meet leaders of the United Nations Office at Geneva, the World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee to discuss China's cooperation with these organizations.

Calling Switzerland "an important partner for China in Europe", Lu said the two countries have a good basis for, and great potential in, cooperation.

"China-Switzerland ties have long been a pioneer in China's ties with Western countries, and have helped drive the development of China-Europe ties," Lu said.

Schneider-Ammann paid a state visit to China in April, during which the two countries agreed to set up an innovative strategic partnership.

"China is ready to work with Switzerland to maintain the good momentum of bilateral cooperation and stable development of bilateral ties," Lu said.