Andreas Goetz (fourth from right) joins water experts to visit the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in Lijiang, Yunnan province, in 2013.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"The Sino-Swiss cooperation (in this field) is an excellent example for an extremely successful collaboration between two countries."

Following the agreement, three joint projects that cover key areas - integrated water management, and a warning system for glacier lake-outburst floods, glacier melting and dam safety were established.

In more recent times, the two sides have initiated another joint project in the Jinsha River Basin in Southwest China's Yunnan province, which - with its mountainous region - has great potential for economic development but faces the challenges of both spacial development and climate change.

In that way, the Jinsha basin has a lot in common with Switzerland, Goetz says.

The project's long-term goals include developing an integrated water-management system that is effective in protecting life and the environment, contributing to the continued development of the local economy and taking into account the effects of climate change.

According to Goetz, climate change is melting glaciers and that has become a significant challenge the world over, and very advanced technologies are needed to solve the problem.

"Working together makes things much easier. Our scientists can learn new things in this project. What we'd like to do is to make it a common platform and benefit all regions with the knowledge we learned here," he says of the Jinsha basin project.

After working with Chinese officials and experts for years, Goetz has gained some insights into the country's water sector, both in terms of achievements and challenges.

He says forming an integrated water-management system, especially in a large country like China where different sectors are involved, isn't an easy task.

"Everyone thinks that he is at the center of the field. That's not true. If you have enough water for agriculture, maybe you won't have enough for the population or for industry. You have to work together. And that is the most difficult part," Goetz says.

Switzerland took decades to get into an integrated water-management system, he says.

"I think it will also take China a long time to do so. But the pressure is much higher now because of the fast development."

Goetz and Chen have developed a close friendship besides maintaining professional exchanges over the years.

According Goetz, the minister has acquainted himself with all his family members and even remembered to send flowers when Goetz and his wife celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary a few years ago.

"We think in similar ways. It takes you some time to understand each other and speak the same language," says Goetz, who believes that their friendship has facilitated the cooperation.

"Friendship ... fosters mutual trust and was one of the most important elements for our successful cooperation."

Goetz received the Friendship Award in 2012 from the Chinese government. The annual award is given as the highest honor to foreigners who have made significant contributions to China's social and economic development.

Now, as a senior consultant for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Goetz continues to support Sino-Swiss projects both in water management and climate change.

He has visited China more than any other foreign country.

His work here has taken him even to remote places in Yunnan and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Many officials in the water resources ministry and its subsidiary departments recognize his name.

Goetz is also glad that his family is connected to China as well. His daughter has been working in Shanghai for more than five years.