President Hu Jintao said in Beijing yesterday that China
hopes to expand cooperation with Sweden to push bilateral ties to a
higher level.?
"China values friendly cooperative ties with Sweden and hopes to
improve friendly exchanges and expand cooperation on the basis of
mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," Hu said in a meeting
with Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf.
King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia are in China on a six-day state
visit.?
Hu reviewed the development of China-Sweden ties over the past
56 years, saying that their relations have kept improving despite
changes in international situations.?
Sweden was the first Western country to recognize the People's
Republic of China. The two countries forged diplomatic ties in
1950.
Hu thanked the Swedish government for its consistent adherence
to the one-China policy and its positive attitude toward developing
relations with China.
He also expressed China's appreciation to the Swedish king and
the royal family for their contributions to promoting China-Sweden
friendly cooperative ties.?
King Carl XVI said the friendship between Sweden and China dates
back centuries and the Swedish royal family has a keen interest for
Chinese history and culture.?
Speaking on bilateral economic and trade cooperation, King Carl
XVI said China's rapid development created new business
opportunities for Swedish enterprises and Sweden hopes to expand
cooperation with China in trade, science, technology, education and
environmental protection.?
King Carl XVI's visit coincides with the arrival of a replica of
the 18th century Swedish merchant ship Gotheborg in south
China's Guangdong Province after a nine-month
voyage.?
King Carl XVI will attend a series of activities commemorating
the Gotheborg, which mysteriously sank off Sweden's coast in
1745 with a cargo of Chinese porcelain, silk and tea.
(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2006)