Jean-Jacques de Dardel,the Swiss Ambassador to China, speaks at a press conference on July 3 (Deng Yaqing)

Swiss Innovation Week 2018, held at Switzerland's Beijing embassy on July 2-6, showcased the country's technology-driven innovation process and the potential for cooperation between China and Switzerland under the theme of digitalization.

Innovation is a major driver of the Swiss economy as the country boasts a strong innovation ecosystem based on its practice-based educational system. The openness of the country also forms an ideal basis for innovation.

"Swiss people have their own perception of innovation. It should not only spark the mind or creative process, but it should also lead to the invention of products. It has to be translated into new products that have a market. This we call 'practical innovation.'" said Jean-Jacques de Dardel, the Swiss Ambassador to China, during the event.

Since Switzerland is a leading nation and major driving force of digitalization and China's innovation has taken a giant leap forward in recent years, cooperation between the two countries will facilitate technological exchanges and generate more joint innovative solutions.

"As China looks towards Made in China 2025 and changing everybody's living habits, we feel that we should do things together and that we can learn from each other," said the Ambassador.

The Swiss innovation system has helped China in terms of putting ideas into practice. Bilateral cooperation will enable the two countries to cope with global challenges together.

Copyedited by Rebeca Toledo

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