Chinese FM holds talks with Norwegian counterpart

BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Beijing on Tuesday.

China regards Norway as an important and stable European partner, noted Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. China hopes that Norway will continue its positive, stable, pragmatic and rational policy toward China, he said.

Wang called on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to respect each other's core interests and accommodate each other's major concerns, and to continue pursuing openness and win-win cooperation.

China is willing to work with Norway to uphold multilateralism together, oppose decoupling and severing supply chains, and promote a more just and equitable international system, he added.

Norway firmly adheres to the one-China policy, said Eide. He noted that as a leader in Europe's green transition, Norway fully opens its market to Chinese electric vehicles and adopts a zero-tariff policy. Norwegian companies are optimistic about the Chinese market and look forward to expanding investment and cooperation with China.

He added that China's Global Governance Initiative is highly compatible with Norway's vision, and Norway is willing to work with China to uphold the spirit of the UN Charter and support a rules-based multilateral trading system.

Both sides agreed to strengthen alignment of their development strategies, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, maritime affairs, green development and innovation, and foster a stable business environment for enterprises from both countries.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, both sides agreed that the ceasefire agreement should be effectively implemented, and the international community, particularly countries with influence over the conflicting parties, should provide the necessary support for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire. Both sides called for support to strengthen the authority and governance capabilities of the Palestinian National Authority.