Bern – Switzerland and China want to deepen their collaboration on sustainability issues. During a working visit to China, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard held talks on environmental and energy policy. China could benefit from Swiss expertise.
Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard was in China last week on a working visit and held talks with various representatives from the Chinese government. Both countries agreed that the economic ties between Switzerland and China have increased with the bilateral free trade agreement.
The two countries now want to strengthen relations on environmental issues and climate protection. China is reducing the high share of coal in its energy supply by turning to gas and renewable sources of energy, writes the federal government in a statement. Leuthard suggested last week that the two countries should extend bilateral cooperation in the field of energy.
Switzerland has extensive know-how in the areas of energy efficiency and storage. And as Leuthard pointed out, Swiss technology and expertise are being employed in the Sino-Swiss ‘low carbon cities’ project, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions in Chinese cities.
Switzerland and China also want to work more closely in smart transport infrastructure. In May 2013, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperating in the transport sector. The specific details of this will now be drawn up. Both countries have also agreed to intensify the exchange of information on road safety.
