The Chinese President Jiang Zemin met Tuesday with visiting
Norwegian Prime Minster Kjell Magne Bondevik.
Recalling his state visit to Norway in 1996, Jiang said he was
warmly welcomed by the Norwegian King Harald V, the Norwegian
government and the people, noting he was very impressed by the
economic, social and cultural achievements Norway had made.
He
said that in 1997, he received Harald V in Beijing, and he asked
Bondevik to pass his regards to the Norwegian king and queen.
Bondevik also passed Harald V's greetings to Jiang, saying the King
was impressed by the achievements China has made in the past two
decades.
Jiang said bilateral ties have progressed well in recent years and
exchanges at various levels between the two have increased.
Norway is advanced in many fields, such as environmental
protection, fishery, ship-making and navigation, and bilateral
cooperation has brought significant achievements, he said.
Bondevik said on this visit he is leading a large delegation of
business people who are very interested in the Chinese market.
Norway and China
both have great potential in economic and trade cooperation, he
said. He is hoping to continue to strengthen cooperation in fields
such as environmental protection, telecommunications and
navigation.
The two sides also exchanged views on China's entry into the World
Trade Organization (WTO), anti-terrorism and other issues.
Jiang said China and Norway have no conflict of interest and the
two share the same or similar positions on major international
issues. He stressed that as long as the two increase understanding
and expand cooperation in an egalitarian way showing mutual respect
and for mutual benefit, the Sino-Norway ties will progress in a
steady and healthy manner.
Bondevik said he hopes China will play a bigger role in
international affairs, and he is willing to strengthen cooperation
with China in affairs concerning the United Nations.
Bondevik is in China for a five-day official visit at the
invitation of the Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji.
(
January 23, 2002)