Visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen said he looks forward to strengthened relations with China, which he believes have been progressing well over the past few years.  

Giving a speech at the Beijing-based China Institute of International Studies, Peterson praised in particular the joint scientific research between the two countries and conveyed his hope for further and more wide ranging collaboration.

"I am pleased to note the cooperation between China and Norway in the environmental field," he said. "Norway last year welcomed the establishment of a permanent Chinese scientific station on the Svalbard Archipelago at the northernmost settlement in the world. Norway wishes to cooperate with China in the field of climate change."

Petersen said due to continuous efforts by both countries, China is now Norway's fourth biggest trading partner.

Norway was designated as a tourist destination for Chinese citizens last year.

And Petersen noted that recently there has been a sharp increase in the number of Chinese students studying in Norway.

He added that many more Norwegians are expected to come to China, as tourists or students.

These factors, he said, made him confident that there was a bright outlook for Sino-Norwegian ties.

Petersen arrived in Beijing on Monday for a five-day official visit. After Beijing, he will visit Shanghai and Hong Kong. It is his first visit to China as foreign minister.

(CRI.com April 1, 2005)