Over 60 leading business representatives from China and Switzerland took part in the Second China International Supply Chain Expo roadshow in Zurich. The event was aimed at strengthening trade ties between business communities of the two countries. CGTN correspondent Julia Lyubova attended the event and spoke to some of the participants.

Members of the Chinese and Swiss business communities are keen to expand their trade ties. This is the consensus reached at the China-Switzerland Business Dialogue and China International Supply Chain Expo Roadshow in Zurich. The Chinese side was represented by an entrepreneurs' delegation headed by Ren Hongbin, the Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade(CCPIT).

REN HONGBIN President of CCPIT "This year marks the 74th anniversary of the bilateral, diplomatic relations and also 10th anniversary of the signing of FTA between the two nations. So I think it's the right time for the two countries to catch up. We have so many new areas such as the low carbon and green development and also digitalization, also the transformation of the traditional industry, transformation of energy. I think so many areas, new areas we have to touch, to explore, to strengthen the cooperation."

The event saw over 60 business heads representing leading enterprises from Switzerland and China. Speeches and presentations were followed by intense networking. The free trade agreement between the two countries, high level contacts in trade and economy, as well as the visa-free policy for Swiss nationals were noted as key factors behind the progress made in the Chinese-Swiss relationship.

FABIAN KÖLLIKER Head of Group Marketing, Swiss Krono Group "For us as a company doing business in China for more than 30 years, it's important to have such events – to gain more and the latest information. It's also about networking, getting to know new people."

The roadshow in Zurich was held in the run-up to the Second China International Supply Chain Expo that will be held in November in Beijing. At the Zurich event, Swiss enterprises were invited to invest and develop their businesses in China and participate in the CISCE to facilitate global supply chain.

REN HONGBIN President of CCPIT "We welcome the Swiss companies like exhibitors, we also welcome them like, visitors. So I think the supply chain is a very important topic now for every country, for every businessman. So to safeguard the global supply chain, to be smooth, stable and secure and inclusive, I think it's also a matter of the global economic recovery and development."

JULIA LYUBOVA "China is Switzerland's third largest trade partner after the United States and the EU. The two countries trade jewellery, watches, medical and electronic products, among other commodities. With their free trade agreement considered a success and now in its tenth year, the two countries are looking to expand cooperation through business dialogues and roadshows. JL, CGTN, Zurich, Switzerland."