Guy Parmelin, Swiss President and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, met with Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng in Bern on March 23.

Parmelin acknowledged the two countries’ close cooperation in various fields last year, which marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He said that free trade and cooperation are the only way forward in an age of uncertainty. He added that Switzerland is willing to boost results-oriented cooperation between the two countries, while acknowledging the important role of openness, autonomy, and innovation.

Huai said the goal of his visit was to implement the consensus reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Swiss President Parmelin last January. He said China will adopt various measures in 2026—the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the innovative strategic partnership between the two countries—to implement this consensus, such as promoting bilateral cooperation in talent cultivation, scientific research, and technology transfer; facilitating the establishment of cooperation mechanisms in basic education, teacher education, and the use of artificial intelligence; and increasing academic exchanges between the two sides.

The Sixth China–Switzerland Education Policy Dialogue was also held the same day.