CRI听力:China-Switzerland Sign MOU on FTA Talks

Addressing Swiss business and financial leaders, Li Keqiang said the FTA deal would have wider implications, as Switzerland will be the first continental European country and the first among the world's 20 largest economies to sign a free trade pact with China.

He said reaching the deal has not been easy, as both sides made tremendous efforts to seek common grounds while reserving differences in their nine rounds of talks over the past three years.

Li Keqiang is now on his first trip to Europe since taking office in March. The Chinese premier said in a signed article in a Swiss daily newspaper ahead of his visit that in Chinese culture, being 'first' always carries symbolic meaning.

In fact, there are quite a number of "firsts" about his trip.

Switzerland was among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with China.

The country is also one of the first European countries to recognize China's market economy status.

The latest FTA deal makes Switzerland the first country in continental Europe and the first of the world's top 20 economies to reach a free trade agreement with China.

China is now Switzerland's largest trade partner in Asia, while Switzerland is China's seventh in Europe.

The premier also took time to voice China's concern over European Union's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probes on Chinese photovoltaic products and mobile telecom equipment, saying the moves will not only cause severe damage to China's industries and jobs but also harm the interests of European users and consumers.

He stressed that the measures will allow protectionism to have its way, and China is resolutely opposed to them.

Switzerland is the third stop of Li's four-country tour, which has taken him to India and Pakistan.

His last stop is Germany.

For CRI, I'm Wei Tong.