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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan are welcomed at the Federal Assembly in Bern, Switzerland, on Jan 15, 2017. [Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua] |
President Xi Jinping arrived in Switzerland on Sunday for his first state visit to the country and his first meeting of the World Economic Forum, a major annual gathering of global political and corporate leaders.
Xi will offer China's vision on domestic economic growth and a global economy overshadowed by protectionism, diplomats and experts said. The president leads a large delegation of senior officials and Chinese business leaders.
Upon arrival at the Zurich airport, Xi said he hopes to inject a positive impetus for the recovery of the world economy.
He said he will "make joint efforts with other relevant parties to explore long-term measures for the world's development, establish a community of common destiny for mankind and safeguard international peace and stability".
Swiss President Doris Leuthard threw a grand welcoming ceremony at the airport for the Chinese leader.
After the ceremony, Xi and Leuthard boarded a train to Bern. The two presidents had a 40-minute talk over tea during the journey of one and half hours.
The Chinese president is on a four-day trip to Switzerland, from Sunday to Wednesday, including the state visit, the Davos forum and visits to some Geneva-based international organizations.
As part of his state visit, Xi will have a formal meeting with Leuthard and they will jointly attend a signing ceremony for cooperative agreements and meet the press, according to Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong.
The agreements include free trade, energy, culture, sports and customs, and they are evidence of the shared commitment to "championing a global trade system of openness and inclusiveness", Li said at a news briefing on Wednesday.
Switzerland was the first country in continental Europe to conclude and implement a free trade agreement with China.
