President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin has called for turning the newly upgraded China-Switzerland free trade agreement into concrete business results through platforms such as the Sino-Swiss Economic Forum.
Speaking at the 9th Sino-Swiss Economic Forum in Beijing on Saturday, just a day after the formal signing, Parmelin called for swift domestic approvals and active business engagement to translate the historic pact into market gains.
The forum brought together business leaders from both countries, with discussions spanning artificial intelligence (AI), advanced engineering and manufacturing, and life sciences.
"Yesterday's signature is a milestone, but not the finish line. The agreement must now complete our respective domestic approval process and our shared task is then to ensure its effective implementation," he said.
Parmelin further emphasized that the agreement's true value will lie in the concrete benefits it delivers.
"The agreement's true value will lie in the concrete benefits it delivers and ultimately, it is companies that will turn, improve framework conditions into trade, investment, innovation, and employment. This is precisely why the Sino-Swiss Economic Forum matters, and it brings together policymakers, business leaders, researchers and innovators from both countries and provides a valuable platform for constructive dialogue and new partnerships," he said.
He also noted that while the two economies differ greatly in size, they share important strengths.
"Our economies differ greatly in size, but they share important strengths -- a strong trading tradition, a capacity for innovation, and a conviction that prosperity grows through exchange. As this forum goes to a close, I encourage you to build up the ideas shared and the connections made here and turn them into concrete projects. Governments can establish the framework, but it is you, the entrepreneurs, investors and innovators in this room, who will bring it to life," he said.
Swiss president calls for action to realize gains from upgraded free trade deal with China
Swiss president calls for action to realize gains from upgraded free trade deal with China
China's top legislature has convened its latest standing committee session in Beijing from November 2 to 6 to review a series of draft laws and amendment bills addressing issues including procuratorial public interest litigation, state-owned assets, Antarctic protection, and combating cross-border corruption.
The second draft of the cross-border anti-corruption bill anchors legislation in a holistic approach to national security, and stresses strict rule of law, due process and human rights protection.
According to Zhou Guangquan, Vice Chairman of the Constitution and Law Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, the draft sets out provisions for authorities to use information technology in cross-border anti-corruption work.
He also noted that members of the public have called for tighter safeguards for state secrets, work secrets, trade secrets, personal information and privacy.
Separately, some Standing Committee members and experts said enterprises with cross-border operations should factor in company size, business scope and risk prevention needs when establishing integrity compliance units or appointing dedicated anti-corrruption staff. Following deliberation, the suggestion was put forward for adoption.
The session will also review the second reading of the draft financial law.
The latest draft aims to boost consumer and investor protection, unify asset management rules, regulate online financial marketing, and tighten oversight of cross-border financial activities.
Xin Chunying, Chairperson of the Constitution and Law Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, said the committee proposed adding a rule that prevents overseas institutions or individuals providing financial products and services within Chinese territory without approval.
She also stated that entities legally providing such products and services in China must comply with laws, administrative regulations and the provisions of the State Council's financial regulatory authorities.
The draft Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law entered its third reading at the session with updated clauses outlining China's participation in global Antarctic governance, improving the national expedition management system, and protecting Chinese citizens' lawful rights in Antarctica.
Several other draft law revisions are being tabled for first deliberation at this session, including amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law to refine the foreign-related criminal litigation system, a revised Renewable Energy Law to tighten regulations and boost industrial development, and several updates to the Ecology and Environment Code that took effect in August.
Lawmakers will also review a State Council proposal to ratify the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.
China's top legislature convenes standing committee session
