Now Switzerland says yes to the “China Strategy 2021-2024”
Sino-Swiss relations, already based on a free trade agreement, will be reshaped over the next four years between human rights and thematic priorities
At its meeting on March 19, 2021, the Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation adopted for the first time an official China Strategy, which defines the objectives and measures of Swiss policy towards China for the years 2021-2024.
The strategy recognizes the importance of China and aims to strengthen the coherence of Switzerland’s activities towards China.
In recent years, China has developed very rapidly and has become a major international economic and political player. The country is Switzerland’s third-largest trading partner.
Financial market dialogue between China and Switzerland
Sino-Swiss relations are based on a free trade agreement, an innovative strategic partnership and dozens of channels for dialogue, but are also characterized by significant differences in values.
Ensuring a coherent policy toward China is therefore crucial.
With its China strategy, the Federal Council takes into account current geopolitical developments.
Increasing competition between the major powers and, in particular, a Sino-American polarization do not correspond to the interests of Switzerland, whose foreign policy attaches great importance to the promotion of globally valid rules and standards, to the smooth functioning of multilateral organizations, and to a frictionless world economy.
The principles on which Bern-Beijing cooperation is based
The “China Strategy 2021-2024”, elaborated in the framework of an interdepartmental process involving all departments, provides a guiding framework for our country’s multifaceted relations with China and is based on the interests and values of Swiss foreign policy.
The Federal Council is confident that, also in the future, Switzerland will be able to safeguard its interests and values in the most effective manner through critical and constructive dialogue and broad and diversified relations with the People’s Republic.
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The Federal Council bases its policy towards China on the following three principles.
– The Federal Council pursues an independent policy, regards China as a priority country in Swiss foreign policy and strengthens the necessary competencies.
It strives to promote cooperation in all areas in which Switzerland has interests and resolutely defends the fundamental values enshrined in the Constitution.
– The Federal Council works to integrate China into the liberal international order and to find answers to global challenges.
Switzerland coordinates more closely with like-minded partners where this represents added value.
– The Federal Council has a balanced, coherent and coordinated approach to China and pursues this by promoting discussion with Parliament, the cantons, the academic and scientific community, the private sector and civil society.
Defined thematic priorities and respect for human rights
Thematically, also in the China Strategy the Federal Council focuses on the priorities of the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-2023.
In the area of peace and security, the emphasis is on global and regional security, Switzerland’s internal security, multilateralism and human rights.
China Strategie 2021-2024
Stratégie Chine 2021-2024
Strategia Cina 2021-2024
Switzerland makes it clear to China that respect for individual fundamental rights must be a central component of relations between the two countries.
It believes that the issue of human rights should be addressed systematically in all bilateral and multilateral relations with China. Switzerland is ready to continue its human rights dialogue with China in the period 2021-2024.
From trade to tourism, from education to exports
The prosperity theme covers areas such as trade, investment, export promotion, education, research, innovation, and tourism. The Federal Council pursues the goal of non-discriminatory, market-based, and mutually beneficial access for goods, services, and investment, including the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in China. The Federal Council aims to modernize the bilateral free trade agreement. In addition, the importance of the EU-China investment agreement for Switzerland will be examined in depth.
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With regard to sustainability, the UN Agenda 2030 provides an important guiding framework for cooperation with China. In relation to Chinese infrastructure projects, Switzerland therefore focuses on climate and environment, health, sustainable financial sector, development cooperation and collaboration.
With regard to the thematic priority of digitization, cooperation with China remains essential, although problems due to systemic and value differences are also evident.
Switzerland is committed to a shared digital space governed by the principles of international law. International Geneva” has an important role to play here.
Honest exchange of information and coordination
To strengthen coherence, a new interdepartmental coordination committee is created to ensure the exchange of information and experience among all federal agencies dealing with China.
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The Federal Council also welcomes the dialogue with and between the various actors outside the federal government who play an important role in shaping relations with China, such as cantons and cities, representatives of business and non-governmental organizations, educational and research institutions, and universities (whole-of-Switzerland approach).
The Federal Council will inform the foreign policy committees of the federal chambers.
