BEIJING: Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Switzerland from May 9 to 12 at the invitation of the Swiss government, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
During his visit, the vice premier will hold talks with Swiss leaders and relevant parties. As the Chinese lead person for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, He will have a meeting with the U.S. lead person, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
From May 12 to 16, He will be in France to co-chair with the French side the 10th China-France High Level Economic and Financial Dialogue.
A Chinese spokesperson on Wednesday reiterated the country’s opposition to the tariff policy of the Trump administration, stressing China’s “consistent” openness to dialogue.
“China is open to dialogues, but any dialogue must be based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. Pressure or coercion in any form will not work on China,” Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, said at a regular press briefing.
The United States has repeatedly expressed its desire to hold negotiations with China in recent days, and the upcoming meeting between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will take place at the request of the U.S. side, Lin stated.
The spokesperson added that China will resolutely safeguard its legitimate interests and uphold international fairness and justice.
He further noted that external shocks cannot change the fundamentals of China’s economy featuring a solid foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience and vast potential, nor can they change the solid momentum of China’s high-quality development.
“We are also willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with the international community, jointly resist unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, safeguard the multilateral trading system, and defend international fairness and justice,” he said.
