Switzerland treats the Switzerland-China ties from a long-term perspective and highly values its cooperation with China, she said.

She hoped that both sides could step up efforts on the feasibility study on a free trade area for a good outcome that would open a new chapter in bilateral economic and trade ties.

Leuthard said she will visit China this year and attend the Shanghai World Expo.

The Chinese vice premier arrived in Switzerland on Monday for a four-day visit that will also see him traveling to the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

At a meeting with leading Swiss entrepreneurs later Monday, he called for closer economic and trade ties between the two countries.

Praising enhanced mutual investment and technology trade between the two sides, Li proposed that China and Switzerland strengthen their economic ties through further liberalizing trade and investment, standing against all forms of protectionism and pushing for a more balanced and fair outcome of the Doha Round of global trade talks.

The Chinese leader also called for more financial cooperation and cooperation on energy conservation and environmental protection.

Cooperation in the field of high and new technology and that between small- and medium-sized enterprises of the two countries should also be further promoted, he said. Enditem