Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji in a meeting on November 9 with Pascal Couchepin, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Public Economy, stressed that China will continue its reforms and opening-up drive.

Zhu hailed the bilateral friendship and economic cooperation between China and Switzerland, adding that the visit by Chinese President Jiang Zemin in March to Switzerland was very successful. He also said that China will devote itself to improving its investment environment and will welcome investment from Switzerland.

Couchepin said that Switzerland has always closely followed China's progress in reforms and opening-up, and appreciates China' s active role in dealing with the Asian financial crisis.

Switzerland hopes to enhance economic and trade ties with China in various fields including tourism and aviation, he said.