SINGAPORE — China and Norway pledged on Aug 1 to joint hands to maintain the rule-based global free trade system.

When meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide in Singapore, State Councilor Wang Yi said that China and Norway advocate free trade and both sides should accelerate negotiations for a free trade agreement to safeguard the rule-based global free trade system.

Wang said China and Norway should mutually respect core interests and major concerns, consolidate mutual trust so as to continuously develop future for the bilateral relations.

Soreide, for her part, said Norway is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China, bear corresponding responsibility and jointly maintain the rule-based international order and multilateral trade regime.

Norway is delighted to see both sides have made a rapid recovery and development after the normalization of bilateral ties, said the Norwegian foreign minister.

Norway respects China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and respects China’s core interests and major concerns, she said.

Norway hopes to enhance high-level exchanges with China to boost cooperation in economy and trade, marine economy and winter sports, Soreide added.