The new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has chosen to make Switzerland his first European destination, emphasising the historically good relationship between the two countries, which earlier this month agreed on a free trade pact. In an open editorial in the prestigious Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Li wrote that his visit, which begins on Thursday, sends a “strong signal” that China “wants to “accelerate” the implementation of free trade between the two countries. Switzerland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations and to enter joint ventures with China, the Chinese prime minister pointed out.