GENEVA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland and China will soon sign a formal agreement on enhancing their cooperation in the field of sustainable water management and hazard prevention, the Swiss government said on Tuesday.

    Federal Councilor and Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger will make his first official visit to China on April 16 to sign this agreement, according to a government statement.

    During his five-day visit, Leuenberger will also hold official discussions with Chinese Minister of Water Resources Chen Lei, attend the third Yangtze Forum and visit the Three Gorges Dam, the statement said.

    Due to their mountainous regions, Switzerland and China face similar natural hazards, according to the statement.

    At the same time, both countries harness their hydropower and are faced with the question of river basin management, which is likely to become more pressing due to climate change, it added.

China, Switzerland eye closer co-op on water resources

    BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu met with Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications of Switzerland Moritz Leuenberger here on Friday, with both sides pledging to enhance cooperation on water resources.

    Hui spoke highly of the friendly cooperation between China and Switzerland in various fields in recent years. Full story

China, Switzerland agree to begin feasibility study on free trade zone

President of the Swiss Confederation Hans-Rudolf Merz (R) meets with visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Bern Jan. 27, 2009. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) Photo Gallery>>>

    BERN, Switzerland, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and Switzerland decided on Tuesday to begin a joint feasibility study on creating a bilateral free trade zone in the second half of this year as part of their efforts to tackle the challenges of the global financial crisis.

    During talks in the Swiss capital, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and President of the Swiss Confederation Hans-Rudolf Merz exchanged views and briefed each other on the policies and measures China and Switzerland have taken regarding the crisis. Full story

Interview: Switzerland eyes free trade deal with China

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland wishes to be the first European nation to sign a free trade deal with China to unlock more business opportunities, Swiss Economy Minister Doris Leuthard said on Thursday.

    "We hope that Switzerland may be the first European country to have a free trade agreement with China," Leuthard said in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of an economic forum organized for a Chinese business delegation. Full story