Premier Li Keqiang has said that the free trade agreement between China and Switzerland has sent the world a strong signal against trade protectionism and will serve as a positive example of China-Europe cooperation.

Premier Li said that the FTA, the first of its kind inked between China and a country in continental Europe, was a milestone in China-Switzerland relations. He made the comments during his meeting with Swiss Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann.

Li said advancing freedom and convenience in trade and investment could be "a good remedy" for the difficult recovery of the global economy. He said China supports a multi-lateral trade system and believes that the trade between countries and regions as well as multilateral trade are equally important.

Schneider-Ammann, also head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, said the signing of the FTA was a historic moment. He said Switzerland will grasp opportunities arising from the pact to upgrade the cooperation between the two countries.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Johann Schneider-Ammann, Swiss Federal Councilor and head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, in Beijing, capital of China, July 6, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]