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The 8th round-table conference between China and Norway on human rights and judicature was held in Beijing from June 21 to 22, jointly hosted by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui and the State Secretary of Norwegian Foreign Ministry Vidar Helgesen.
Zhang said that since the mechanism of the round-table conference was initiated in 1977, China and Norway have reached the goal of increasing understanding and expanding consensus based on the principle of equality and mutual respect.
Such a model of communication and cooperation accords with the development of international human rights, and is beneficial to the mutual and healthy development of Sino-Norway ties, said Zhang.
Zhang said the Chinese government will further participate in the communication and cooperation in the field of human rights, absorb good experiences of foreign countries including Norway, and make efforts to promote and protect all kinds of human rights of the Chinese people.
Helgesen spoke highly of China's achievements in the field of human rights, and held that the round-table conference not only promoted bilateral cooperation in the human rights sector, but also furthered Norway-China relations.
Helgesen expressed his hopes that the Norwegian side will continue its cooperation with the Chinese side on the basis of mutual trust and cooperation, and push forward the round-table mechanism to achieve more progress.
Both sides also discussed three major topics concerning the rights of workers, prisoners and detainees, and decided that the ninth round of conference will be held in Oslo, Norway next year.
Zhang and Helgesen also held a political consultation on June 21, exchanging views on human rights and other international and regional issues of shared concerns.
(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2004)
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