Chinese vice premier meets Swiss president, WEF chairman

Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju, who is in Davos to attend the 2005 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), met with Swiss President Samuel Schmid and WEF Chairman Klaus Schwab separately Friday evening.

While meeting with Schmid, Huang said that the Sino-Swiss relationship in general has been developing smoothly.

The two countries are keeping a close relationship at the high level, which has promoted bilateral exchanges and cooperation in politics, economics and culture, he said.

Huang told Schmid that China would like to enhance collaboration with Switzerland in areas such as science and technology, finance, energy, environmental protection and tourism.

He also asked the Swiss government to provide convenience and adopt favorable policies for Chinese companies to invest in Switzerland.

Schmid told Huang that he is deeply impressed by China's rapid development. He said Switzerland would work to keep pushing the bilateral ties forward and further expand cooperation with China in economy, trade and tourism.

The president also invited Chinese companies to invest in his country in the near future.

When meeting with Schwab, who is also the founder of the WEF, Huang said that China and the WEF have maintained good relations since 1979.

He praised the Geneva-based organization for its positive role in boosting exchange and cooperation among governments and companies around the world.

Schwab, for his part, noted that China has been playing an important role in the organization and the presence of Huang and the Chinese delegation at the annual meeting is a great honor to the WEF as well as a new starting point for closer ties between

the two sides, he said.

Huang, who arrived at the Swiss ski resort earlier Friday, is expected to deliver a special message at the WEF meeting Saturday morning.

Created in 1971, the WEF is an important forum for political and business leaders, economists, and officials from international organizations to discuss major global issues.

The 2005 annual meeting opened on Wednesday under the theme of "Taking Responsibility for Tough Choices."

Source: Xinhua