Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel gives exclusive interview to Xinhuanet, March 12, 2015. (Xinhuanet/Chen Jingchao)

BEIJING, March 20 — The determinations of the Chinese government in terms of environment protection and sustainable economic development are very remarkable, said Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel to Xinhunanet.

Dardel stressed his confidence on Thursday about the far-seeing development strategy mapped out in Premier Li Keqiang’s work report at the just-concluded sessions of China’s legislature and political consultative body.

“We are looking at that with trust that those words will be transformed into realities as soon as possible,” he said.

Expressing his interests in China’s initiative of innovative economy, he added, “It is of a great impor tance to Switzerland because we are actually very much ambitious in this area and we like to be in contact with the individuals and business associations to trade and exchange even more.”

As the direct link between Switzerland and China, he stressed, “I was happy and proud to hear Switzerland being mentioned twice during the report.”

It is not only because the Free Trade Agreement between China and Switzerland enters into force, but also because Premier Li visited Switzerland for a second time a few months ago when he went to the Davos forum where he met President Simonetta Sommaruga of the Swiss Confederation, Dardel explained.

Dardel also expressed his appreciation for the dynamism and benefit the “new normal” of Chinese economy will bring about. Those who doubt the Chinese economy is weakening have focused on the pace instead of focusing on the fact that China’s economy keeps a very steady growth pattern.

“Obviously a slower pace of growth of something very huge remains a very strong growth. There is a bigger growth to benefit from when you have 7% of something very huge than 15% of something 20 times smaller,” he explained.

Talking about the development of the China-Switzerland relations in recent years, Dardel said they are “really excellent and splendid”.

“It’s not only the economy actually; it’s about the people, mutual interests, cultural ties that show how the two nations can benefit each other. This is why we introduced a 48-hour visa policy as of this year” he stressed.

This year is the 65th anniversary of China and Switzerland diplomatic relations. To mark the special occasion, a large variety of celebration activities will be held in Beijing, Shanghai and elsewhere in China, the ambassador revealed.