Chinese president calls for stronger ties with Sweden

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BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for stronger relations with Sweden and closer cooperation on clean energy, life sciences, green finance, high-speed rail and space technology.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven in Beijing, capital of China, June 26, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who is in China for the Summer Davos Forum scheduled for June 27-29 in northeast China's Dalian.

Recalling that Sweden was the first western country to forge diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, Xi said a healthy, stable and sustainable China-Sweden relationship not only met the national interests of both countries, but also helped the development of China-Northern Europe cooperation and China-Europe relations.

He called on both sides to find novel ways to cooperate and boost China-Sweden ties. Xi proposed to combine China's 13th Five-Year Plan, its innovation-driven development strategy and Made in China 2025 plan, with Sweden's Smart Industry strategy.

The two countries should also work together on smart cities, tourism and winter sports, said the president.

China hopes to strengthen coordination with Sweden in the United Nations and the Arctic Council, he added.

Regarding China-Europe ties, Xi said China expects more policy coordination with Northern European countries including Sweden, and new progress in China-Northern Europe cooperation.

Lofven expressed condolences for losses in the recent landslide in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

He said Sweden values China's influence in major global and regional affairs, as well as cooperation with China in multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations.

Lofven vowed closer cooperation with China in trade, innovation, culture, sports, tourism and arctic affairs.