a strategic partnership. Looking beyond the protecting power mandate in Iran and Venezuela and cooperation on vocational education and training, new areas of cooperation should be considered. These include new technologies and new issues of international law. Switzerland has a wealth of expertise to offer in repatriating illicitly acquired assets of politically exposed persons. Stepping up cooperation with influential US think tanks may also serve to safeguard Switzerland’s interests in the long term. If Switzerland wants to assert its multilateral interests on the global stage, it must also articulate them vis-à-vis Washington and seek to cooperate with the United States in areas in which it makes sense to do so. Switzerland has succeeded in establishing very close relations with China. Switzerland became the first country in mainland Europe to conclude a free trade agreement with China, which is now its third most important trading partner. Around 30 sectoral dialogues are being held on a variety of topics, illustrating the fact that Beijing has responded more positively to the idea of a strategic partnership than other priority countries. In addition, around 20 cantons and cities have now established economic and cultural partnerships with Chinese provinces and municipalities. The Federal Council should draw up a clear strategy for its policy on China over the coming years in a way that intelligently combines the opportunities and challenges associated with cooperation. As well as developments within China itself, the wider international frame of reference must be taken into consideration. Should the world become more politically polarised, Switzerland’s relationship with China could become more complicated. Although close economic relations and strategic dialogue remain important, they should form part of an effective overall strategy. Russia is not one of Switzerland’s top trading partners. However, the country’s weight in global affairs makes Moscow an important player with regard to Swiss foreign policy. Relations between the two countries have become more fraught since the annexation of Crimea and various espionage and cyber incidents. However, more than other European countries, Switzerland remains committed to dialogue rather than isolation, as evidenced by its good offices – specifically the protecting power mandates in Georgia and Russia – and the firm belief that security can only be achieved in Europe by working with Russia rather than against it. 19 2028 Foreign Policy Vision 3.1.4. Structured cooperation with like-minded states Switzerland can defend its interests on the global stage by stepping up its cooperation with certain partner countries. It already works together with a group of like-minded states, above all on specific topics and at the technical level. A more tightly structured form of cooperation with some of these like-minded countries (LMCs) on policy and transversal issues would lend itself to this purpose. Although these countries are not among the most dominant actors on the world stage, they are nevertheless relevant. They pursue similar interests to Switzerland, and previous experience has shown them to be reliable. They advocate for a peaceful world order, are committed to results-based multilateralism and work together as equals. Their positions often converge, for example in areas such as peace, human rights, the environment, energy and science. LMCs are most likely to be found in Europe. But not only there. With tomorrow’s world in mind, Switzerland should also integrate non-European countries into an LMC strategy. Moves in this direction have already been made below the political level: for instance, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland all collaborate as part of the Small Advanced Economies Initiative. These industrialised countries with around 5 to 10 million inhabitants each work together on issues related to economics and innovation. Other formats should be looked into, such as setting up a K7 group of smaller states as a counterpart to the G7. An LMC strategy would allow promising partnerships for the future to be built: Switzerland can promote its interests more effectively by joining forces with others.