By Zhao Shijun

A long-standing friend of the People's Republic of China, the Kingdom of Norway is now promoting bilateral relations to new heights, Norwegian Ambassador to China Svein O. Saether told China Daily prior to Norwegian Constitution Day to be celebrated on May 17.

Saether said the Norwegian government announced a new China strategy in September last year that will broaden cooperation in a wider range of fields.

"This new policy promotes Norwegian business interests and expertise in China by integrating environmental, climate change and sustainable development concerns in bilateral relations and encourages China's more active role in the world community. It will offer a sound foundation for the two countries' bilateral ties in the future," the ambassador said.

Norway was one of the first Western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China when it did so on January 7, 1950. The two nations established formal diplomatic relations on October 5, 1954.

In the following half a century, Sino-Norwegian relations developed smoothly on the basis of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, Saether said.

"Norway sticks to the one-China policy, this is another important basis for the long-term friendly ties between the two nations," the ambassador added.

Cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy and culture has increased steadily and yielded remarkable results.

"The political relations are in good shape at present, thanks to the frequent high-level exchanges in recent years," Saether said.