2019年CRI Switzerland willing to bridge B&R construction: Swiss president

 

The President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer will pay a state visit to China next week and attend the second Belt and Road Forum¹ for International Cooperation.

Ahead of his trip, President Maurer spoke² of the significance of the Belt and Road in promoting economic growth in the participating countries, and of Switzerland's readiness to play a part in the initiative.

The Swiss leader said his participation³ in this year's Belt and Road Forum will include discussions about both short and long term cooperation.

"In the medium to long term, we should aim to build a stable network and increase our understanding of Chinese culture and the way Chinese people behave. In the short term, there is a need for sustainable projects that play a role as a 'lighthouse' for our cooperation. These projects should be accepted into our society and be financially stable. We can dispel⁴ people's doubts by showing them some positive results from these projects and prepare them for more in the future," Maurer said.

President Maurer said that even though Switzerland was not a key location on the Belt and Road, it can still have a role to play.

"I think Switzerland can be a bridge between the two continents. Switzerland is an open economy, and is committed to creating a good business environment for enterprises, allowing them to play to their full advantage in finance, investment, insurance, and other areas, and achieve success in the free market. Swiss enterprises can provide high-quality and low-cost services. Switzerland is also home to many international organizations, especially in Geneva. From this perspective, Switzerland is also very important to China," the president noted⁵.

Many experts believe that the Belt and Road initiative is a concrete measure that enables more and more countries to benefit from globalization, at a time when the move towards more global integration⁶ is facing severe challenges.

President Maurer also praised China for taking on more global responsibility.

"The Belt and Road Initiative has created a new dimension for the world economy, because no other country in the world can forge such a long-term strategy, so it is indeed a centenary project. If the initiative wins the trust of other countries, it will be an ambitious project that will benefit the global economy and people around the world."

China and Switzerland signed free trade agreement back in 2013, and the two sides established an innovative⁷ strategic partnership⁸ in 2016," Maurer added.

President Maurer believes two countries are ready to upgrade their bilateral⁹ cooperation, including in the trade of goods and services. And during his visit to China, he expects to see the two countries sign a Belt and Road deal.

"Specifically, I think there are several areas in particular where we can further develop our cooperation. One is in financial markets. We are hoping to see China open its financial markets further. Another area is technology development, especially in finance and block chain. We can also work together in the insurance industry and sustainable development, where we have rich knowledge and experience. We are also going to sign a memorandum¹⁰ of understanding with China on cooperation in third party markets," Maurer said.

In 2017, President Maurer attended the first Belt and Road Forum as Switzerland's finance minister.

The three-day Belt and Road Forum is due to start on April 25.

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

4 dispel   

vt.驱走，驱散，消除

参考例句：

• I tried in vain to dispel her misgivings.我试图消除她的疑虑，但没有成功。
• We hope the programme will dispel certain misconceptions about the disease.我们希望这个节目能消除对这种疾病的一些误解。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

7 innovative   

adj.革新的，新颖的，富有革新精神的

参考例句：

• Discover an innovative way of marketing.发现一个创新的营销方式。
• He was one of the most creative and innovative engineers of his generation.他是他那代人当中最富创造性与革新精神的工程师之一。

8 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

9 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

10 memorandum   

n.备忘录，便笺

参考例句：

• The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
• The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。