OSLO — China stands ready to work with Norway to ensure a long-term stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Oslo on Aug 27.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, conveying Chinese leaders' cordial greetings to Solberg.

Noting that a Chinese foreign minister last visited Norway 15 years ago, Wang said that the main message of his trip is that China cherishes the hard-won good situation in bilateral relations and is willing to work with Norway to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations and well implement the important consensuses reached during the normalization of bilateral relations so as to ensure a long-term stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

Against the backdrop of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic which requires steady prevention and control efforts, the two sides should resume bilateral political exchanges at an early date and strengthen win-win cooperation in various fields so as to jointly overcome the pandemic thoroughly and make positive contributions to boosting world economic recovery and safeguarding world peace and stability.

Wang said China is willing to work with Norway to promote cooperation in vaccine research, development and production, establish a mechanism for maritime cooperation and dialogue, accelerate negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement, take concrete actions to jointly defend the free trade system, and accelerate each other's development through mutual openness.

China welcomes Norway to play a more active role in international affairs, he said, adding that China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Norway in the UN Security Council affairs and its development, and jointly safeguard multilateralism.

The two sides, Wang said, should also strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, deepen cooperation in winter sports and other areas, and make positive contributions to the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

For her part, Solberg asked Wang to convey her sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

She said that China has made great achievements in economic and social development and will soon achieve the goal of eradicating absolute poverty, setting an example for the international community.

In recent years, Norway-China relations have developed smoothly, Solberg said, adding that Norway hopes to complete negotiations for a free trade agreement with China as soon as possible and strengthen cooperation in vaccine research and development, blue oceans and other fields.

Norway, she added, has always firmly supported multilateralism and is willing to work with China on the UN Security Council affairs and ensure the effective operation of international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

She added that Norway is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in winter sports personnel training and other aspects, and looks forward to the successful holding of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Wang and Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide also held talks and held a joint news conference.

Norway is the third leg of Wang's ongoing European tour, which has taken him to Italy and the Netherlands and will also take him to France and Germany.