On the morning of January 14, 2024 local time, at the invitation of Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab, President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, and Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council left Beijing by chartered plane for Switzerland to attend the WEF Annual Meeting 2024 and pay an official visit to Switzerland and Ireland.

On the afternoon of January 14, 2024 local time, Li Qiang arrived at Zurich International Airport by chartered plane and started his official visit to Switzerland. President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, among others, greeted Li Qiang at the airport.

Li Qiang said that Switzerland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 74 years ago, bilateral relations have maintained sound development. In particular, since the announcement of the establishment of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership by President Xi Jinping and the Swiss leader in 2016, exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields have reached new heights and yielded new results.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is ready to work with Switzerland to follow the important strategic guidance of the two heads of state, further deepen mutual political trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and cultivate friendship between the two peoples. China has always attached great importance to Switzerland's unique role in Europe and on the international stage, and stands ready to maintain close communication and coordination with Switzerland in jointly addressing global challenges, among others.

Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Wang Shiting and Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland Chen Xu, among others, also greeted Li Qiang at the airport.