BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Sunday to Doris Leuthard on her taking office as president of the Swiss Confederation for 2017.

In the message, Xi said the development of China-Switzerland relations has gained a sound momentum. The two sides' mutual political trust has been constantly consolidated, pragmatic cooperation in various fields, such as economy, trade and finance has been continuously deepened, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges are increasingly brisk.

Xi also said that he attaches great importance to the development of the China-Switzerland ties and is willing to work with Leuthard to enrich the innovative strategic partnership between China and Switzerland, and to lift the bilateral relations to a higher level.

On Dec. 7, the Swiss parliament elected Doris Leuthard to take on the rotating one-year presidency for 2017.