China delighted to have FDA with Swiss upgraded, hopes Swiss meet China halfway: FM

(ECNS) -- China will be delighted to have the free trade agreement (FDA) with Swiss upgraded and hopes that the Swiss side could stay clear of disruptive elements and meet China halfway, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Monday.

The FDA between China and Swiss is a mutually-beneficial arrangement, not a favor bestowed by either side, and the two sides have maintained close communication and active negotiation in the spirit of mutual respect and equality regarding the upgrading of the agreement, Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press conference.

Since its implementation in 2014, the China-Switzerland free trade agreement has brought enormous tangible benefits to both countries and peoples, said Zhao.

The upgrading of the agreement will help both sides to further tap into the potential for economic and trade cooperation and revitalize and grow the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the spokesperson added.