BELLINZONA, Switzerland, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China and Switzerland issued a joint document on Friday outlining a wide range of consensus on deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation and advancing their strategic partnership.

The document was issued at the fourth round of China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in the southern Swiss town of Bellinzona. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Switzerland for the dialogue at the invitation of Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, and the two countries will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their innovative strategic partnership next year.

The two sides are committed to building on the important consensus reached by the leaders of their countries, advancing the results of bilateral cooperation, and pushing for new developments in their innovative strategic partnership, the document said.

They also expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation in diverse sectors including culture, education and tourism to deepen mutual understanding and enhance friendship between the two peoples, it said.

The two sides spoke highly of the free trade agreement that has been in effect since 2014, underscoring its important role in bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The two countries are ready to advance negotiations on upgrading the agreement to a higher level, so as to further boost trade and economic cooperation, safeguard free trade and promote economic globalization in a more open, inclusive and balanced manner to benefit all, the document said.

The two countries agreed to take advantage of the active bilateral dialogue mechanisms across various fields and continue their cooperation in areas such as finance, human rights, environmental and climate protection, green and sustainable development, and artificial intelligence.

Switzerland welcomes China's initiative to establish the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in this field, the document said.

Both countries reaffirmed their support for the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, and pledged to engage in productive cooperation through multilateral platforms such as the World Trade Organization, it said.

Switzerland welcomes the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which aims to reform and improve the global governance system. Switzerland is committed to supporting all global governance initiatives based on respect for international law, the document said.

It said the two foreign ministers are willing to maintain close communication and continue to hold regular strategic dialogues, alternating between the two countries. The next round of such dialogue will be held in China. Enditem