Swiss Ambassador to China Jürg Burri (3rd from left) and Lu Shaye, special representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs (4th from right) jointly bang a gong symbolizing Sino-Swiss friendship prior to the performance, on September 14, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of Switzerland in China

With harmonious and beautiful melodies, the Embassy of Switzerland in China staged the Anniversary Concert Switzerland-China 75 Minutes for 75 Years in Beijing on September14 to mark the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the China-Switzerland Year of Culture and Tourism.

Swiss Ambassador to China Jürg Burri said in his remarks that "75 years have been [a] long and memorable time. It's very special thing and this [was] marked by the exchange of telegrams between our heads of state today, who exchanged congratulations on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. We should also take that as a sign of appreciation." 

In January 1950, Switzerland recognized the newly founded People's Republic of China, becoming one of the first Western countries to do so. 

Ambassador Burri highlighted important milestones in bilateral ties: In 1974, the first trade agreement between China and Switzerland was signed; the comprehensive bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed in 2013; Switzerland was the first continental country in Europe to sign an FTA with China; and in 2016 the two countries decided to establish innovative strategic partnership and initiated strategic innovation dialogues. 

There are more than 1,000 Swiss companies active here in China. "We have more than 30 specific dialogues between China and Switzerland," the ambassador introduced. 

Altogether, the embassy has organized more than 30 events in 10 cities up till now in 2025, he added. 

The concert - conducted by Chinese and Swiss musicians - titled "75 Minutes for 75 Years," symbolized the long-standing friendship between the two countries through a continuous 75-minute performance. Through collaboration, musicians from the Swiss Orchestra and the China National Traditional Orchestra blended Swiss classical music and folk songs with Chinese classical and modern music. The concert is not merely an artistic milestone, but also a reflection of the Sino-Swiss relationship.

"Tonight is another highlight of this anniversary year - a dialogue between Western classical instruments and Chinese traditional instruments, mirroring the dialogue between our two nations: different sounds, different traditions, yet coming together in harmony," the ambassador said.

In his speech, Lu Shaye, special representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs said that over the past 75 years, both China and Switzerland have been nurturing the cooperation spirit of equality, innovation, and win-win cooperation. Together both countries have made contributions to the protection of multilateralism and free trade. 

"We also welcome more friends from Switzerland to make use of China's visa-exemption policies and the good condition of the increasing number of direct flights between our two countries to have an immersive experience of the charm of China any time," said Lu. 

Today humanity is facing more complicated global challenges; no country can address these problems alone. Only by strengthening global security can the international community tackle the challenges together and lead to a better future, he said. 

It is expected that China and Switzerland can work together in reforming and improving global governance so that we can push for a more just and equitable global governance system together, Lu noted.

Music transcends cultures and languages and bridges souls. In China, we have always had the beautiful story of finding a soulmate among mountains and streams, he said, wishing China and Switzerland's friendship remains as strong as ever, he added.

Ambassador Burri and Lu jointly banged a gong symbolizing Sino-Swiss friendship prior to the performance. 

The concert's repertoire featured a rich selection of works, from classical pieces by Swiss composers Joachim Raff and Paul Huber, to traditional Chinese classical compositions such as Moonlight over the Spring River, and Journey to Suzhou. Audience enjoyed typical melodies embedded in the two countries' culture. Additionally, the contemporary cross-over arrangements such as Dunhuang, took people's imagination to a tour along the ancient Silk Road and a variation of the Chrysanthemum Terrace won waves of applause. A specially commissioned piece combining the Swiss folk Guggisberglied and Axi Jumping the Moon, which is the Chinese ethnic Yi tune, lingered in the hall as the grand finale.