Chinese Premier Li poised to ink landmark Swiss-China trade deal

BERNE, Switzerland (AFP) - China's Premier Li Keqiang was poised on Friday to sign a key accord with Switzerland, bringing closer a free-trade deal seen as a touchstone for Beijing's growing global ties.

After high-level talks, Mr Li and the Swiss government were scheduled to ink a memorandum of understanding on the free-trade accord, paving the way for the expected official signature in coming months.

Mr Li arrived in Switzerland late on Thursday, on the first stop of his debut visit to Europe since taking over in March in Beijing's once-in-a-decade power transfer.

On Saturday, he heads to Germany, China's main European trade partner.