Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard in Bern Da'Ron Payne Shirt , Switzerland, Jan. 16, 2017. (XinhuaRao Aimin)

BERN， Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Switzerland on Monday pledged to better develop their innovative strategic partnership and jointly oppose trade protectionism.


During talks between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard， the two countries also agreed to align their respective development strategies and strengthen cooperation in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.


MODEL OF COOPERATION


"The China-Switzerland relations have become a model of friendship and cooperation between countries that are different in social system， development stage and size，" Xi said.