Swiss President Guy Parmelin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on 30 October 2026. Several agreements were signed after their talks: an optimisation of the bilateral free-trade agreement, an accord on cooperation in labour and employment, and rules for exchanging scientific data.
The free-trade agreement has been in force since 2014. Its revised version is intended to improve access to the Chinese market for Swiss goods and investment. According to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, it is the first Chinese free-trade agreement to include a legally binding chapter on trade and sustainable development, strengthening environmental and labour protections. The official statement gives no specific tariff reductions or date for the agreement to take effect.
The separate research-data agreement is intended to give Swiss and Chinese research teams a clearer legal framework for cross-border data exchange. The signatures mark a political and economic step, but the practical benefits for businesses and researchers will depend on implementation. The Swiss government also discussed human rights and international security during the visit.