Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met Swiss President Doris Leuthard here on Tuesday and both sides voiced their opposition against trade protectionism amid the ongoing global financial crisis.

Li, who arrived in Switzerland on Monday for a four-day visit, said the creation of a free trade area between the two countries is under discussion and serves as a concrete action for both sides to combat trade protectionism.

Bilateral ties have been developing in an all-round way since the two sides established diplomatic relations 60 years ago, Li said.

He said China attaches great importance to its ties with Switzerland and is ready to join hands with the European country to seek a long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.

Leuthard said Switzerland opposes any form of trade protectionism and expects more Chinese companies to invest in the country, as well as more cooperation between the two countries in such fields as technology and finance.

She hoped that both sides could step up efforts on the feasibility study on a free trade area so as to draw a good result to open a new chapter of bilateral economic and trade ties.

During his stay, Li will also address the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday and hold talks with WEF President Klaus Shwab.