OSLO – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that China and Norway should deepen cooperation and jointly contribute to world peace and development.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during talks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Noting that Norway was among the first Western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China, Wang said China-Norway relations have maintained steady and sustainable development over the years, bringing important benefits to both peoples.
In recent years, with the joint efforts of both sides, political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, while mutually beneficial cooperation has grown deeper and more substantive, expanding into greener and more innovative areas, he said.
Dialogue on the Green Transition between China and Norway has become an important platform for bilateral cooperation in the new era, Wang said, adding that no matter how the international situation evolves, China and Norway should remain committed partners in cooperation.
ALSO READ: China, Norway aim at green transition
China is ready to work with Norway to strengthen exchanges at all levels and in various fields, including with the Norwegian Royal Family, the government, parliament and political parties, safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations, expand practical cooperation in areas such as trade and the green economy, and continuously enrich bilateral ties, Wang said.
He said the two sides should elevate bilateral trade, sign a China-Norway free trade agreement at an early date, continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in clean energy, electric vehicles, green shipping and the circular economy, and work to ensure the effective implementation of the Dialogue on the Green Transition, setting an example for cooperation between countries.
Noting that the world is currently beset by mounting chaos, Wang said Norway has participated in mediation processes related to regional and international hotspot issues.
China and Norway should work together to defend multilateralism through concrete actions, promote the peaceful settlement of disputes, strengthen cooperation on global governance, and advance the building of a more just and equitable global governance system, thereby contributing to world peace, stability, prosperity and development, Wang said.
Eide said the constructive partnership between Norway and China is currently enjoying strong growth momentum. Norway remains firmly committed to the one-China policy and stands ready to strengthen high-level exchanges and dialogue at all levels with China, and further advance practical cooperation in areas such as trade, the green economy, environmental protection and maritime affairs, he said.
READ MORE: Norway eyes closer trade ties with China
Norway has always supported free trade and opposed the over-securitization of economic issues, Eide said. Noting that the world today is undergoing changes and turbulence, he said the international community urgently needs to strengthen rational cooperation, observe international rules and uphold multilateralism.
Norway and China hold similar positions on many international and regional hotspot issues, Eide said, adding that Norway values China's important influence in international affairs and is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to uphold the central role of the United Nations, safeguard the basic norms governing international relations, actively address global challenges such as climate change, and jointly protect the one and only planet humanity calls home, he said.
The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis, the situation in the Middle East, and other international and regional issues.
