China and Norway should tap the great potential for bilateral
economic and trade cooperation, although the two countries have
already had fruitful cooperation in a wide range of fields, Chinese
Premier Zhu Rongji told his Norwegian counterpart in Beijing
Monday.
"The trade volume between China and Norway hit US$900 million last
year, triple the figure a decade ago. However, it doesn't match the
economic strength of the two countries," Zhu said while holding
talks with visiting Norwegian Prime Minster Kjell Magne Bondevik,
who arrived on Saturday for a five-day official visit.
Bondevik said that China has made remarkable achievements since it
adopted the policy of reform and opening up to the outside world
more than 20 years ago, and that China's economic development will
speed up following its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
This will lay a better foundation for trade and economic
cooperation between Norway and China, Bondevik said, adding that
the two sides could expand cooperation in such fields as
shipping,telecommunications and environmental protection.
Zhu said China will continue to expand trade and economic
cooperation with various countries, including Norway, following its
entry into the WTO.
Zhu said he believed that thanks to Bondevik's current visit,
greater progress will be made in cooperation between Chinese and
Norwegian enterprises, especially small and medium-sized
businesses, and this will be beneficial to both sides.
On
bilateral relations in general, Zhu said that currently bilateral
ties are progressing well, and increased exchanges between the two
have enhanced mutual understanding and mutually beneficial
cooperation in a wide range of fields. The two countries also have
had close cooperation in the United
Nations and other multilateral areas, he said.
They also exchanged views on environmental protection, human
rights, religion and other regional and international issues of
common interest, saying the two countries will strengthen
cooperation on international issues.
After the talks, Zhu and Bondevik gave a joint press briefing.
Prior to the talks, Zhu hosted a welcoming ceremony to honor
Bondevik, who is in Beijing at his invitation.
(Xinhua News
Agency, January 22, 2002)