In addition to shared interests, Switzerland's core values and fundamental rights, such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights, are also represented within the framework of the partnership. This approach is supported by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.

The city partnership between Basel and Shanghai is based on a partnership agreement that was signed in Shanghai in 2007. This agreement is valid indefinitely. In order to specify the cooperation in more detail, further areas of cooperation were defined in a «Memorandum of Understanding» (MoU), each with a limited term, based on the interests of the Basel stakeholders.