Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a congratulatory message to the Swiss Culturescape Festival with China as the guest country of honor on 16 September 2010, which reads as follows:

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Switzerland diplomatic relations, I am happy to learn that Swiss Culturescape Festival with China as the guest country of honor will soon be held in Switzerland. On behalf of the Chinese Government and in my own name, I wish to extend warm congratulations.

Switzerland was one of the first west European countries to recognize the People's Republic of China and establish diplomatic relations with New China. Over the past 60 years, ties between China and Switzerland have developed in an all-around way, with great achievements in economic, scientific and technological cooperation, dynamic people-to-people and cultural exchanges and continuously deepening friendship. The Chinese people value their long-standing friendship with the Swiss people. China is ready to work with the Swiss side to deepen exchanges and cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit in all fields such as political affairs, business, trade, science, technology and culture and jointly strive for a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.

Cultural innovation is an important fruit of human civilization progress and cultural exchange is a vital force behind such progress. As the largest cultural exchange activity since the two countries established diplomatic relations, the Swiss Culturescape Festival introduces to the Swiss people time-honored traditional culture and colorful contemporary art from China in the forms of music, drama, architecture, dance, literature and film. This event will also offer an important opportunity to the Chinese people to know more about the unique culture of the Swiss people. I sincerely hope that this event will lead to more cultural exchanges between the two countries and deeper mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

I wish the Swiss Culturescape Festival with China as the guest country of honor full success!

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Hu Jintao
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　President of the People's Republic of China
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　September 16, 2010