Relations between Bern and Beijing are currently being put to the test, says Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis, who wants to see Switzerland being “more robust” with China.
In an interview with the SonntagsBlick newspaper, he notes that “human rights violations are on the rise” in China and that “if China abandons the ‘one country, two systems’ principle in Hong Kong, it will affect numerous Swiss companies that have invested there”.
“In 70 years of relations with China, we have succeeded in building a constructive but critical relationship,” Cassis tells the newspaper, adding that rule of law and human rights have always been part of the dialogue.
“First we established economic relations [with China] and then we talked about human rights,” he says. But China has changed, which is why “Switzerland must defend its interests and values more robustly, for example by strengthening international law and the multilateral system”.
Switzerland, he continues, thought it could “emancipate itself a little from Europe” through a free trade agreement with China that came into force in 2014, but “history is more turbulent than expected”, he says.
Relations with the EU
Asked about relations with the European Union, Cassis tells the paper Switzerland can’t afford an unregulated relationship with the EU in such an “uncertain and complicated” world.
Negotiations between Bern and Brussels over a new “framework agreement” are stalled, while an initiative from the conservative-right Swiss People’s Party to scrap the free movement of people accord with the EU would seriously undermine ties.
If voters reject that initiative on September 27, Bern will submit proposals to Brussels before the end of the year to resolve sticking points on the framework accord, Cassis tells SonntagsBlick.
More
More
China slams Switzerland for ‘interfering in internal affairs’
This content was published on
China has attacked Switzerland and 26 other countries for criticising a sweeping new national security law imposed on Hong Kong.
Swiss-Italian ski course was not built illegally, rules judge
This content was published on
Four defendants acquitted of illegal construction of the Zermatt-Cervinia ski course that runs from Switzerland to Italy.
Swiss transplant doctors keep heart alive for record time
This content was published on
A Swiss hospital has kept a heart alive outside of a human body for a Europe-record 12 hours before being successfully transplanted.
Swiss canton celebrates artist Jean Tinguely centenary
This content was published on
Fribourg is honouring the cultural and social legacy of Swiss mechanical artist Jean Tinguely, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year.
Swiss bar cleared of racism after stopping white reggae gig
This content was published on
A Swiss bar has been cleared of racial discrimination for stopping a white reggae band gig in response to customer complaints.
This content was published on
Some Swiss cities have an oversupply of childcare places, reversing the historic trend of limited options for working parents.
Six Zurich Rottweiler owners apply to keep ‘dangerous’ dogs
This content was published on
Just six out of 350 owners of Rottweilers in canton Zurich have have applied for new licenses to keep their dogs, which are deemed dangerous.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
When Switzerland recognised the new China
This content was published on
Seventy years ago, Switzerland was one of the first Western nations to officially recognise the People’s Republic of China.
This content was published on
The Swiss president is in China, where he will sign a memorandum of understanding focusing on finance and trade. What’s in it for both countries?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.