China, Switzerland forge innovative strategic partnership

The two sides appreciated the deepened trade relations since the implementation of the China-Switzerland FTA, which entered into force in July 2014.

They also supported the construction of the offshore-yuan market in Zurich of Switzerland, as well as the cooperation on the training of senior management personnel of financial institutions.

Switzerland supports China to host the Group of Twenty (G20) Hangzhou summit in September, and China has invited Switzerland to participate in relevant activities.

After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a number of cooperative documents in the areas of vocational safety and health, low-carbon city construction and technological innovation.

Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Schneider-Ammann at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

Earlier Friday, China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang met with Schneider-Ammann.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the NPC is willing to enhance exchanges and mutual understanding with the Federal Assembly of Switzerland.

He called on the two countries' parliaments to strengthen mutual learning in the legislation of intellectual property protection, innovation and entrepreneurship as well as vocational education.