国内英语新闻:China, Switzerland mark 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China and Switzerland Saturday marked the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties at a reception in Beijing.

Addressing the occasion, senior Chinese official Liu Qi said China hopes to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary to enhance mutual political trust and cooperation with Switzerland in various fields.

Liu, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said China attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with Switzerland, one of the first Western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China.

Currently China is Switzerland's second largest trading partner in Asia, and Switzerland is a major partner of China in Europe, said Liu.

Doris Leuthard, President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of Federal Department of Economic Affairs, said Swiss-China relationship has deeply developed since the establishment of the diplomatic ties on Sept. 14, 1950.

Leuthard said the two economies are complementary and can achieve win-win results in fields such as environment, machinery and financial services.

Leuthard is paying a working visit to China from Aug. 10 to 15, at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.