Premier Li Keqiang met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, who is on his official visit to China, in Beijing on Dec 19.

Norway was one of the first western countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. The history of China-Norway relations indicates that mutual respect, equal treatment, and accommodation of each other’s major concerns are the basis of mutual political trust and developing bilateral relations, according to Premier Li.

The two countries’ foreign ministers have carried out sincere and in-depth talks and reached a consensus on issues concerning the normalization of bilateral relations.

China praised Norway’s new administration’s commitment to uphold the One-China policy and dedication to improve and develop relations with China.

China is willing to make joint efforts with Norway to promote stable development of bilateral relations, opening a new chapter on China-Norway ties, Premier Li said.

The Premier noted that the economies of the two countries are complementary and the prospect of mutual cooperation is promising.

China is willing to negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement with Norway, promote free and convenient trade and investment, step up people-to-people exchanges, and enhance public support for the development and cooperation of bilateral relations.

Efforts should be made to strengthen cooperation on international affairs and promote the development of relations between China and Nordic and European countries.

China would welcome an expansion of investment from Norway in China and enhanced cooperation in sectors such as energy conservation, environment protection, and technology research and development.

Premier Li Keqiang meets with Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, who is on his official visit to China, in Beijing on Dec 19. [Photo/Xinhua]

Brende said that the normalization of China-Norway relations is of historic significance and sends a positive signal to the international society. Norway would stick to the One-China policy and respects China’s core interests and major concerns. This is the political foundation of the development of bilateral relations.

Norway is willing to take the opportunity of the normalization of bilateral relations to strengthen high-level exchanges, promote bilateral free trade agreement, expand mutual cooperation in sectors such as hydropower, offshore oil and gas, and jointly promote the liberalization of global trade, he added.