Qiu Huilin (in the middle), second-level inspector of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province, meets with a Swiss business delegation led by Andreas Weber in Guangzhou on April 17. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

Qiu Huilin, second-level inspector of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province, met with a delegation of entrepreneurs from the Basel Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Guangzhou on April 17 to explore expanded cooperation.

Qiu welcomed the delegation and noted that China and Switzerland exemplify a successful partnership between countries with different social systems and development stages. Switzerland is China's sixth-largest trading partner in Europe, while China is Switzerland's largest trading partner in Asia. In 2025, Guangdong's trade with Switzerland reached $4.947 billion, and over 400 Swiss companies are operating in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Qiu highlighted that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership and the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), presenting significant opportunities for innovation cooperation. Noting that several delegation members represent global "hidden champion" enterprises, she expressed hope the visit would further expand bilateral collaboration for mutual benefit.

Delegation head Andreas Weber thanked the hosts and said Guangdong's strength in economy, trade and innovation offers substantial potential for deeper economic and cultural cooperation.