Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward a four-point proposal in Beijing Thursday to further China's relations with Switzerland.  

The proposal is to strengthen the political relationship, further economic and trade cooperation, expand exchanges in the educational, scientific and personnel fields and promote understanding, common ground and friendship.

Hu made the proposal during talks with visiting Swiss President Pascal Couchepin.

Hu proposed the two sides conduct dialogues at different levels and fields and cooperate in international affairs. He also said that China and Switzerland have complementary economies and China is ready to work with Switzerland on finance, insurance and environmental protection.

Switzerland was among the first group of countries to forge diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Hu said Sino-Swiss relations have developed steadily over the past 50 years and the two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation in the fields of culture, education and science in recent years.

"Switzerland has become China's important partner in economic, trade and scientific cooperation with Europe," Hu said.

Couchepin agreed with Hu and said that Switzerland hopes to promote dialogue with China in such international organizations as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

He expressed appreciation for China's observance of WTO principles, and believed this will increase confidence for foreign entrepreneurs to invest in China.

Couchepin was also pleased that the two countries would sign a memorandum of understanding on scientific cooperation, and said that Switzerland would like to promote exchanges between the two peoples based on mutual respect so as to promote trust between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2003)