BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the closing ceremony of the China-Switzerland Year of Tourism held on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In his message, Xi said he made the decision to launch the China-Switzerland Year of Tourism together with his Swiss counterpart, Doris Leuthard.

Taking this opportunity, China and Switzerland held exchange activities and expanded personnel exchanges during the year, which enhanced mutual understanding between the two peoples and promoted bilateral communication and cooperation in such areas as culture, economy and trade, injecting fresh impetus to the development of China-Switzerland relations, he said.

The Chinese president stressed that people's involvement and support have been important foundation for the development of China-Switzerland relations.

He called on both sides to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and enhance practical cooperation, so as to keep consolidating the public foundation for the development of bilateral ties.