Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis to visit Japan and the People's Republic of China
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will visit Japan and the People's Republic of China from 22 to 25 April 2025. The aim of this visit to Asia is to strengthen political relations and promote Switzerland's economic interests with two important partners.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing for bilateral talks. © Swiss Embassy in Beijing
29 April 2025 – A trip marked by political and economic discussions, but also by friendly exchanges
Numerous discussions, meetings with representatives from the fields of science and business as well as visits to the Swiss pavilions at the World Expo in Osaka and the China International Machine Tool Show (CIMT) marked Federal Councillor Cassis's trip to Japan and China.
The meetings with his counterparts in Japan and China emphasised the economic and political importance of both countries for Switzerland.
25 April 2025 – Conclusion of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis' official trip
The visit took place against the backdrop of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Switzerland was the first country in continental Europe to sign a bilateral free trade agreement with China.
In Beijing, Mr Cassis met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Their talks focused on bilateral relations, the global economic situation and developments in Ukraine, the Middle East and East Asia. They also reaffirmed their shared interest in strengthening multilateral cooperation and addressing security issues in this framework.
During his visit to Shanghai, Mr Cassis also visited the Schindler company, a symbol of economic cooperation. The focus of the visit was the ongoing negotiations to modernise the bilateral free trade agreement.
With his visit to China, Federal Councillor Cassis reaffirms the historical depth of bilateral relations and emphasises the importance of the People's Republic as Switzerland's most important economic partner in Asia.
These two days in Peking and Shanghai brought to a close Mr Cassis' trip to Japan and China. His official meetings and actions show how important these two countries are for Switzerland, particularly in economic and political terms.
25 April 2025 – Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai: reception with the Swiss community on innovation
The trip of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis comes to an end with a reception with the Swiss community at the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai. Speaking about the topic of the reception – innovation – the head of the FDFA emphasised: ‘Your hard work and innovations not only strengthen our reputation, but also contribute to the economic prosperity of both Switzerland and China.’
25 April 2024 – Visit to Schindler in Shanghai
Federal Councillor Cassis visits the regional headquarters and the research centre of the Schindler company in Shanghai. Schindler is one of the Swiss economic pioneers in China: Schindler established the first foreign industrial partnership in China in 1980 – a bold, pioneering step that reflects the innovative spirit and courage of Swiss entrepreneurship. The focus was on modernising the bilateral free trade agreement between Switzerland and China.
24 April 2024 – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis meets Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke about bilateral relations and updating the free trade agreement.
Global economic challenges and security issues in Ukraine, the Middle East and East Asia were also discussed.
Mr Cassis and Mir Yi reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter, international law and the importance of multilateral cooperation.
The two Ministers welcomed the celebrations to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations and the their continuation.
24 April 2025 – 75 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China
2025 marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the People's Republic of China. To mark the anniversary, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis planted a chestnut tree in the garden of the Swiss embassy in Beijing in the presence of a Chinese delegation. The tree symbolises the future of the bilateral relations between the two countries.
On 17 January 1950, Switzerland was one of the first Western states to recognise the People's Republic of China. But relations between the two countries go back to 1906, when the first official contacts were established. In 1918, a friendship treaty formalised the relationship. With the launch of Deng Xiaoping's policy of openness and reform in 1979, numerous partnership projects followed at both the state and cantonal, municipal and local level.
The long-standing economic relations between the People's Republic of China and Switzerland ultimately led to the signing of a free trade agreement in 2013. Three years later, the relationship between the two countries was strengthened by the innovative Strategic Partnership, which includes over 30 regular dialogues on a wide range of topics. One example in this regard is the human rights dialogue between Switzerland and China, which has now been held 18 times. In 2018, this partnership was strengthened with the introduction of a strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
24.04.2025 – Beijing: Official visit to the Swiss Pavilion at CIMT
The FDFA head's next stop is Beijing. There, Mr Cassis will visit the 19th China International Machine Tool Show (CIMT).
46 Swiss companies are represented at the ‘Swiss Pavilion’ at CIMT. The pavilion showcases the competitive advantages of Switzerland's technology industry. Numerous events accompany the exhibition, such as the ‘Swiss Evening,’ a platform for exchanging experiences. In his speech, Mr Cassis emphasised the role of the machine industry in the bilateral relations between China and Switzerland: ‘Our relationship with China has always been defined by a pioneering spirit, with the Swiss machine industry playing a crucial role.’
2024 Switzerland was also represented at an industrial fair in China. Last year, the China CNC Machines Tool Fair (CCMT), which covers the automation, medical technology and automotive industries, attracted 125,000 visitors.
23 April 2025 – Strengthening bilateral relations
During his visit to Tokyo, Mr Cassis held bilateral talks with several ministries, including with Foreign Minister Iwaya. He also exchanged views with the company NEC, which has announced that it will choose Zurich as the new global headquarters for its digital government and digital finance activities.
Japan is an important partner for Switzerland. In addition to their excellent economic relations, Japan and Switzerland work closely together in the fields of science, business, innovation and digitalisation. Shared values and a strong foundation of trust strengthen this close relationship.
On the occasion of Switzerland's national day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, the head of the FDFA emphasised Switzerland's status as a leader in innovation and high technology.
23 April 2025 – Economy, education and science at the centre of the meeting with representatives from Japan
The meetings between Federal Councillor Cassis and Takehiko Matsuo, Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, as well as Atsushi Nonaka, Japanese Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, were marked by the excellent cooperation between Japan and Switzerland in the areas of economy, education, research and innovation. Further opportunities for deepening cooperation were discussed.
In 2007, Japan and Switzerland signed a cooperation agreement in the field of science and technology. Within the framework of the bilateral programme, a joint committee meets on a regular basis to discuss topics of mutual interest.
In 2023, the Swissnex Consulate in Japan was opened, the first science consulate in Japan. Swissnex promotes cooperation between universities, research institutions and start-ups in both countries.
23 April 2025 – Exchange with NEC President Takayuki Morita
In Tokyo, the head of the FDFA met the President and CEO of NEC, Takayuki Morita. NEC, a globally active Japanese technology group headquartered in Tokyo, maintains close economic ties with the Swiss fintech market. On this occasion, NEC announced the establishment of its global headquarters for Digital Government and Digital Finance in Zurich. This decision underscores the quality of the SwissSwitzerlands strong ecosystem and reflects the trust and future-oriented cooperation between Switzerland and Japan.
The economic relations between Switzerland and Japan were intensified in 2009 with the free trade agreement. Furthermore, Switzerland is among the top ten investment countries in Japan, particularly in the pharmaceutical and electrical industries, as well as in finance and insurance. At the same time, Japanese companies are the most important Asian investors in Switzerland, particularly in wholesale and retail.
23 April 2025 – Meeting between Federal Councillor Cassis and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya
In Tokyo, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya for bilateral talks.
The meeting between Mr. Cassis and Mr. Iwaya focused on current international issues, in particular the war in Ukraine and geopolitical challenges in Asia.
22 April 2025 – Swiss Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka
The Swiss Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka reflects the very good relations between Switzerland and Japan in the fields of politics, business and science. During his visit, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited the Swiss and Japanese pavilions.
The Swiss Pavilion is the result of a collaboration with Swissnex. Switzerland's worldwide network for education, research and innovation has six main locations, one of which is in Osaka. The collaboration took place as part of a scientific programme around the topics ‘Augment Human’, ‘Life’ and ‘Planet’. The eco-friendly pavilion represents Switzerland's innovative strength.
22 April 2025 – Official ceremony to mark Swiss National Day
Together with a delegation from Swiss science and economy, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis officially opened Swiss National Day at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. As part of the celebrations, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis gave a speech in which he emphasised the close relationship between Switzerland and Japan: ‘Our presence here in Osaka is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the deep friendship between Switzerland and Japan – a relationship that began over 160 years ago.’
In addition to their strong economic ties, the two countries enjoy traditionally close political and multilateral cooperation. Japan is Switzerland's most important partner in Asia in the field of science and technology.
22.04.2025 – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis has arrived in Osaka
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis's trip, which includes visits to both Japan and China, begins in Osaka. In addition to meetings with official representatives of the Japanese government, the head of the FDFA will visit the Swiss pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka.
17.04.2025 – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travels to Asia
From 22 to 25 April 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will travel to Japan and the People's Republic of China. In addition to strengthening bilateral relations, the trip will focus on deepening political dialogue with Switzerland's two important partners in Asia.
In Japan, the focus will be on innovation, technology, trade and multilateral cooperation. In China, the talks will mainly revolve around bilateral relations, economic challenges and current geopolitical issues.
