The Swiss minister Johann Schneider-Ammann arrived in the Chinese capital Peking last Monday. On the first day of his working visit he met amongst others the Chinese minister of Trade Chen Deming, with whom he wanted to talk about a free trade agreement. Schneider-Ammann was full of confidence, that the ambitious aim to conclude the free trade agreement before the end of this year, could be achieved.
China and Switzerland have in the beginning of 2010 declared that they have plans to enter into a free trade agreement. Then in January 2011 the negotiations started during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Switzerland is with this the first country entering into a free trade agreement with China. A tender point in the negotiations is especially the agricultural policy. China namely want a larger opening of the market. But Switzerland also want a few things, especially as far as market entrance for the export industry and the certainty of security in rendering of service are concerned.