Xi meets Norwegian PM in Beijing

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Monday, saying that China is willing to work with Norway to promote the continuous development of friendly cooperation.

Xi asked Store to convey his greetings to King Harald V. Xi said since the two countries established diplomatic ties 70 years ago, the two peoples have respected, appreciated and learned from each other, forging a valuable friendship.

Furthering China-Norway friendly cooperation is consistent with the will of the two peoples, the fundamental interests of the two countries, and a global trend of maintaining closer ties among countries to share weal and woe, Xi said.

He noted that today's world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, which are testing whether the international community can make the right choice.

China will continue to follow the path of peaceful development. By further deepening reform in an all-round way and advancing Chinese modernization, China will inject stability and certainty into a world fraught with changes and turbulence and create more opportunities for the common development of all countries, Xi said.

Xi noted that the two countries' economies are highly complementary and have seen fruitful cooperation outcomes in various fields. He called on the two sides to expand practical cooperation in fields such as environmental protection, energy transformation, maritime affairs and shipping, agricultural and fishery products, and electric vehicles.

He also called for intensified exchanges of personnel and strengthened cooperation in such areas as education, culture, tourism and winter sports.

Xi noted that China and Norway share broad consensus on maintaining world peace and security, addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity and countering other global challenges. He said China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Norway at the United Nations and on other multilateral platforms, practice true multilateralism, and promote an equal, orderly, multipolar world and an economic globalization that benefits all. China hopes that Norway will play a positive role in promoting the sound development of relations between China and Europe, he added.

Store conveyed King Harald V's cordial greetings to President Xi. Store said that Norway respects China's sovereignty, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to continue to work with China to respect each other's core interests and major concerns.

Store said China's development is full of vitality and has significant successful experience. Norway looks forward to expanding cooperation with China, especially in such fields as green development, climate change, maritime affairs and shipping, agriculture and fishery industries, new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence, he said.

Noting that Norway supports free trade, Store said the country is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China under multilateral frameworks such as the G20, and supports strengthened cooperation between Europe and China.

The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other hotspot issues. Xi stressed that China encourages and supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and will continue to promote peace talks and play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement. Xi voiced the hope that all parties will work together to accumulate favorable conditions for the political settlement of the crisis through dialogue.