BERNE, Switzerland: Applauded by Switzerland’s business sector, the country’s free-trade deal with China is heavy with symbolism, coming as Beijing locks horns with the European Union (EU) in a raft of commercial disputes.

The staunchly non-EU Swiss inked a preliminary accord on Friday during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s first visit to Europe since taking the helm in March’s once-in-a-decade power transfer.

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