Host: What about the main winners of this agreement? The German news magazine Der Spiegel said the biggest beneficiaries of the agreement in Switzerland would be the dairy farmers, while in China, the main beneficiaries would be the shoe-makers and manufacturers of clothes. In your opinion, which industries will benefit most from this free trade agreement, first in Switzerland and then in China?

Ambassador: I’m surprised that Der Spiegel would be so precise in its pointing out the winner of the other industry because that’s certainly not the way our negotiators, and our specialists, experts have understood this free trade agreement. It’s very wise. It’s amazingly wise. And I believe that all sectors of the Swiss and Chinese economy will benefit. That certainly was the purpose. So the fact that the ones and the others because of the delays, the application of new norms and trade advantages may be different from one sector to the other sector doesn’t change at all the fact that it’s so wide and all encompassing that all branches are slated to benefit and in fact, it’s not only trade and simple figures that will be involved. The agreement touches on many scopes of action, intellectual property, different kinds of science, research methods. No, I believe that on both sides there will be quite a number to benefit from that. As to Chinese producers, they will also benefit, even though up to now, China has been benefiting from trade arrangements beneficial to developing countries of the stage, it will be an even more open field for Chinese products too even though they already benefit a lot.

Host: This free trade agreement was also a big topic in the Swiss media. And as a consumer, I ask myself, how do I profit in Switzerland from this agreement?

Ambassador: Well, as a consumer in Switzerland, you’ll profit, they’ll profit or I’ll profit when I will be back from most probably a wider array of Chinese products, well-priced Chinese products because they will have less duty to pay. Our own internal regulations as to the quality will be appalled as they’re in any case of goods being delivered to the public. So the consumer will have nothing to lose but rather indeed to gain.

Host: And vice a versa. How far do you think the agreement will affect the consumers in China?

Ambassador: The consumer in China might found it an opportunity to look at a wider number of Swiss products because we are quite performing in many branches that are not yet well known. So the consumers here will also benefit from less of duties - very obviously. If he adds focus on the quality of products, he is going to be brought into discovery to new Swiss products. And that will be the case. And enhance that will also then benefit the Swiss consumers in return and vice a versa because it goes in both ways. Since our exporters will be able to export more and our workforce will benefit from that which wise because of a healthy economy.

Host：Indirect link with the free trade agreement is the so-called Swiss SMEs Research Center to China in Harbin，the capital of Heilongjiang. This center was founded last August by the University of Applied Science and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. And its aim is to help small and medium sized Swiss enterprises to set up business in China. How was the start of this cooperation project?

Ambassador: Like many others with open-mind and stamina, people realized that they could do something about getting together more and closer. And indeed it is first kind of the projects where one of our Swiss universities is setting up a shop with provincial authorities here. There is being set up others such as centers or brokers enabling better implanting of Swiss companies in China. We have seen that for a while I expect that to pick up.

Host: What is the meaning of this particular Swiss center in Harbin within the context of Sino-Switzerland relation? How important is that?

Ambassador: Sino-Switzerland relations are not only economic, not only of trade based. But that is very substantial in our exchanges. Now on top of that, we have to look the quality of the goods produced and exchanges. The Switzerland is very performing at high-end products and they are very innovative. That is something we can bring. The more we have start up SMEs, taking a foot hold in China, the better will be for both sides in much as innovation and seize innovation. I believe you need some multipliers and such set up companies, centers and multiplier that process that. So it is good news.

Exploring Chinese cities

Host: Have you ever already been to Harbin?

Ambassador: No. Not yet to Harbin. I’ve been here for three months minus two weeks. Because I have been credited to many countries I’ve been a number of places but not there yet.

Host: Among Chinese cities you’ve seen so far, is there a favorite one?

Ambassador: I’m glad to report that I’m very happy in Beijing and I like the city very much. I’d also say that I don’t compare I like or dislike. I‘ve discovered Guangzhou, where I love the setting, the scenery and nature of there. I am also very fond of Shanghai. I discovered Zhenjiang as an industrial city but also a resort town with all of mingles and intermixes with the recollection of beautiful China when I visit thirty years ago. Up to now, I visited a number of other cities like Baoding for instance. Every time I’m struck modernism. I’m happy when I see there is an ability of reclaim the past and to preserve some parts of the past as well as to beautify China.

Host: Come back to Beijing, what do you like in particular about the city?

Ambassador: I believe that Beijing has been a capital city for several centuries and it is a culture hub and has remains. It is perceivable. On the top of that I like the Ou Tu Tang structure and architectures which remain. But also I am struck by the modernism and beautiful contemporary architecture. Finally I like the openness of the city. The urbanization, the fast developing is respectful size of generous openness.

Host: China is also very famous for rich variety of food. Which kind of food has been your favorite so far? Are there particular dishes you like?

Ambassador: I am often asked what do you like best about this what is my favorite that. It is just happen that my mind function this way probably my stomach too. I am very collected. There too I don’t have a favorite dish. I am thrilled about the dumplings I discovered here. I would underline that I like Chinese food very much.

Chinese literature

Host: What about culture in particular literature. I know you like writing a lot. Are there any writers or authors you like?

Ambassador: It is difficult one. Frankly, my approach to Chinese literature was long time ago. Sun Wukong was a favorite of our family as in writings or just in children’s books. But that is a literal figure perhaps. But I would say I am a great reader of Chinese literature for lack of knowledge of the language itself. Mo Yan is a referential figure because we know him as a Nobel Prize winner. Gao Xingjian is a French writer who of course is a Chinese. I have taken a great liking most of my life for Chinese ceramics for old porcelain, Chinese arts. I just discovered music here Yujia Wang is definitely can be called one of my favorites.

The Empire Reborn

Host: My last question to you, Mr. Ambassador. You have been in China for only three months. If you are going to write a book about your first three months in China, which title will you give to this book?

Ambassador: The Empire Reborn.

Host: Why?

Ambassador: The dynamism. And obviously the word’s meaning of a new presence on the world’s stage. There is no imperial or imperial overturn but the self-insurance. Very old civilization which is not looking into future lives a much better openness.

Host: It is a very nice conclusion with “the Empire Reborn”. We hope that Switzerland will help China for this rebirth. Thanks a lot for coming to our studio today, Mr. Ambassador. I wish all the best for your time in China and I hope the free trade agreement we talked about will be successful for both of our countries.