A deal of "strategic cooperation" has been agreed between the Chinese National Olympic Committee and Swiss Olympic ©Swiss Olympic

A deal of "strategic cooperation" has been agreed between the Chinese National Olympic Committee and Swiss Olympic.

Chinese head Gou Zhongwen signed a Memorandum of Understanding with his Swiss counterpart Jürg Stahl to usher in the new partnership.

The two leaders of both countries, Swiss President Doris Leuthard and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, with the latter currently on a state visit which has seen him meet International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

Both countries are currently preparing to hold major winter events, with Switzerland staging the 2020 edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne.

China's capital Beijing will then host the Winter Olympic Games in 2022.

Switzerland could host the Winter Olympics four years after Beijing does so in 2022 ©Getty Images
Switzerland could host the Winter Olympics four years after Beijing does so in 2022 ©Getty Images

Switzerland are also currently preparing a bid for the 2026 Winter Games, with two projects from the European country currently in the frame for their candidacy.

These are "Graubünden und Partner 2026" (Eastern Switzerland) and "Sion 2026. The Games in The Heart of Switzerland" (Western Switzerland).

The new partnership will include consultation between both countries on subjects such as sports venues, training facilities and the organisation of major events.

China, which hopes to encourage more of its citizens to engage with winter sport before Beijing 2022, is hoping to benefit from a transfer of knowledge from Switzerland which is an established snow and ice power.

A benefit for Switzerland could be a boost in tourism from Chinese visitors.