Chongqing - "With about 1,000 Swiss companies in China, employing around 200,000 people, policies to stimulate demand and foreign investment will directly affect their business strategies," said Raphael Zumsteg-Yuan, President of SwissCham Southwest China and Head of International Strategy and Development, Century Reliance Group during an exclusive interview with Bridging News following Premier Li Qiang’s delivery of the Government Work Report on March 5.

As the Two Sessions unfold, Raphael is particularly focused on the economic parameters in Premier Li Qiang's government work report, especially the 2025 growth target and potential policies to stimulate demand and foreign investment. 

Raphael’s journey in China started as a student at Peking University. In 2019, he moved to Chongqing and became actively involved in the Sino-Swiss Technopark, developed by Century Reliance Group.

SinoSwiss Technopark hosts a variety of Swiss enterprises, ranging from manufacturing to software and design industries. Raphael highlights Schindler Elevators as a prime example of Swiss success in China, noting that the company has operated in China since the 1980s and has contributed significantly to the country's urbanization, particularly in Chongqing.

As one of China's megacities, Chongqing ranks fourth nationwide with 275,000 elevators. Schindler provides elevators and escalators for high-rise buildings and subways. "Their continuous growth here has been impressive, and they play an important role in shaping the future of both China and Chongqing," he said.

Raphael believes Chongqing's strategic location, strong industrial base, and low operational costs make it attractive to foreign investors. Situated at the heart of China, it's a key hub for expanding into the country and Southeast Asia. "Chongqing's mature transport infrastructure and proximity to Southeast Asia give it a significant advantage," he said.

The 2025 government work report also highlights the development of new-quality productive forces, including emerging industries such as commercial spaceflight and low-altitude economy, as well as future industries like bio-manufacturing, quantum technology, embodied intelligence, and 6G. 

"As both nations deepen their economic and cultural ties, Chongqing's role in international cooperation will grow, especially in bio-manufacturing, quantum technology, and med-tech, as highlighted in this year's government work report," He added.

Living in Chongqing, Raphael appreciates the city's clean, reliable public transport, which makes commuting convenient. "The infrastructure in this city continues to grow, and there are still new roads and bridges being built, along with expanding high-speed connections, making life here even more convenient," he added.

Raphael points out the new visa-free policy for Swiss passport holders, which has brought more foreign clients and allowed him to visit family more often. He also notes that integrating foreign credit cards into Alipay and WeChat Pay has made transactions easier for foreign residents, calling it a step forward in simplifying exchanges and improving convenience.

In addition, this year is exciting for Sino-Swiss relations, as Switzerland and China have a 10-year Free Trade Agreement. Negotiations for the upgrade began this March.

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China, a milestone underscoring the strong and stable relationship. "Switzerland and China have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership, and the next 75 years look very promising," Raphael said.