China, Switzerland sign protocol to upgrade free trade agreement

China and Switzerland signed an upgraded protocol to their bilateral Free Trade Agreement in Beijing on Friday. The protocol widens access to services markets including financial services, technical testing, aircraft maintenance, and maritime transport.

The agreement modernizes rules covering digital trade, rules of origin, trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, competition, and sustainable development. This bilateral agreement was signed during a meeting between Swiss President Guy Parmelin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.