China and Switzerland are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, a partnership that spans trade, scientific research and diplomacy.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Switzerland for the fourth round of the Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Bellinzona.
Mount Rigi serves as a scenic symbol of that connection. Rising 1,800 meters above sea level, it is one of Switzerland's most famous landmarks, drawing thousands of tourists annually, including a growing number from China.
"It's very famous and I have been dreaming of coming here for a long time, and I come here for my honeymoon with my husband. So I'm very glad that I have the chance to be here to see the beautiful view," said a visitor.
"I think it's the mountains all around, you can see. Today, like today, you have really a good view into the Swiss Alps. You see the highest mountains, over 4,000 meters high. They are snow-capped at the moment and they like that very much," said a staff worker at Mount Rigi.
Mount Rigi not only offers breathtaking views, it is a symbol of friendship between China and Switzerland. Dubbed "Queen of the Mountains," it is twinned with Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Established in 2009, the partnership is marked by an eight-tonne stone which was sent from Mount Emei, symbolizing cultural and touristic collaboration.
Switzerland was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China in January 1950. And ever since, the two nations have been working on deepening and broadening their relations.
Over the decades, the relationship has expanded to include more than 30 bilateral dialogues on topics ranging from trade, security issues and human rights, to science, research to innovation, according to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The two countries also cooperate at the United Nations.
"We had the first joint venture coming in 1980, the first Swiss joint venture in China. But also Switzerland was chairing the committee for the Chinese entry into the WTO. So there are major milestones that we look and that we're celebrating with the 75th year anniversary," said Markus Leitner, director-general for Asia and Pacific Area of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
China and Switzerland have had a free trade agreement in place since 2014, which allows for mutual market access for goods and services. Since then, China has become Switzerland's third largest trade partner while Switzerland has grown to be China's sixth largest in Europe. Talks are underway to update the agreement.
China, Switzerland mark 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
