Interview: Chinese market remains priority for Swiss businesses, says former ambassador

FRIBOURG, Switzerland, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The China International Import Expo (CIIE) continues to be a crucial gateway for Swiss companies pursuing growth in China, said Jean-Jacques de Dardel, president of the Board of Swiss Centers Group and former Swiss ambassador to China.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, De Dardel recalled that the Swiss Centers, a non-profit organization supporting Swiss enterprises in the Chinese market, "has been present since the very first edition" of the CIIE and continuously enhanced Switzerland's pavilion at the event.

This year, Swiss Centers brought together more than 25 Swiss firms to the expo, with its booth in the food and agricultural products section covering 290 square meters, marking its largest presence.

"We were the ones to represent Switzerland and push for a strong Swiss presence there. And we like to see this growing," he said.

Over the years, Swiss pavilions have showcased everything from fine Swiss wines, chocolates, watches to advanced medical technology and other consumer brands, offering Chinese visitors a comprehensive introduction to the quality of "Swiss Made."

De Dardel emphasized that "CIIE has been a success story," as it provides an important platform for Swiss companies seeking to establish a foothold in China.

"It's an accelerator. It enables those who do not have a foothold in China to know when and where to go to start developing their presence. Not only Swiss and European companies, but all foreign companies can discuss with possible partners," he explained.

Noting uncertainties in global trade today, De Dardel said that "Swiss companies are now prompted to look even more into diversifying their markets," he said, adding that China is "of even greater interest now" as firms seek stable and expanding markets.

Indeed, a Swiss Centers survey found that Swiss companies' intentions to invest in China remain strong: Nearly half of them still rank China as their top three priority investment market.

"The Chinese market overall is growing fast, so it remains a top destination for many of our products and a top interest for many of our companies, especially in some fields, like med tech manufacturing at a high level," De Dardel said.

The former diplomat further highlighted the strong potential for collaboration in clean technologies and innovation. With China placing greater emphasis on green industries, where Switzerland leads globally, new synergies are emerging.

Switzerland has topped the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index (GII) for the 15th consecutive year in 2025, while China entered the top 10 for the first time.

"We hope these innovative technologies can take root in China," he said. By advancing joint efforts in climate-friendly solutions, De Dardel believes the two nations can forge "a new, real common link" that benefits both economies and the global environment.

As the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, their partnership continues to evolve with "quality and mutual trust," he said.

De Dardel recalled coordinating Switzerland's participation at the first expo during his tenure as ambassador, an experience that later inspired him to join the Swiss Centers. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Swiss Centers has helped more than 500 Swiss enterprises successfully enter the Chinese market.

He stressed that platforms like the CIIE "inject new impetus into the economic and trade cooperation" between the two countries. "With some goodwill, you can really achieve an improvement in international relations," he said, expressing hope that Switzerland and China will continue to pursue mutual benefits and shared prosperity in the years ahead. ■