Sweden first Western nation to seal PRC relations

After more than a half century of development, Sweden and China continue to consolidate and expand bilateral relations that were first forged a generation ago.

"The ties are old and excellent - let me start by saying that." Swedish Ambassador to China Mikael Lindstrom spoke with China Daily before the visit to China by Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on April 11.

First to recognize the PRC

Sweden was very early to recognize the People's Republic of China, laying the foundation for shared growth and prosperity.

"As often mentioned in speeches, Sweden was the very first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in May of 1950," Lindstrom said.

"We have had an embassy for over one hundred years in Beijing. The first ambassador came in 1907. So it is a long history. We also had extensive trade in the 18th century.

"In more recent times, we have greatly expanded contacts. We have between 3,000 and 4,000 Chinese students in Sweden and an increasing number of Swedish students and researchers in China.

"There are 130 agreements between Swedish and Chinese universities.

"About 40 Swedish government agencies have regular contact with their Chinese counterparts. That's very broad. We have 10,000 companies doing business in China and with China."

"I think by the end of this year half of the Swedish cabinet members will have been (to China). So that really is intensive cooperation." He noted that the two counties have dialog on many issues of mutual concern, including the environment, commerce and law.

Future cooperation will grow across a wide range and research and development is a very promising area. Swedish researchers have great interest in cooperating with China."

Cultural ties

"Last autumn, we held a Sino-Swedish science week that was extremely well attended. We had 150 Swedish professors here, which is testimony to our seriousness," the ambassador said.

"Culture is another area, I think, where we will see more and more activity. There is a strong interest in Chinese culture in Sweden. And I think we have a lot to offer to China too. The Royal Swedish Ballet is coming to China in the beginning of June. We have a long musical tradition in Sweden, which I know a couple of years ago Sweden was the fourth-largest music exporter in the world. We are also interested in Chinese modern art. There is really a lot of potential."

Cultural exchanges include the Nordic Confucius Institute, the first of its kind in Europe, established in 2005 at the Department of Chinese Studies at Stockholm University.

Lindstrom said the institute "shows, first of all, that the Chinese government attaches importance to Sweden as a dialog partner in the area of culture".

"We welcome that very much. Our cultural institutions need to cooperate. At the same time, cultural exchange is even more about individuals, about taste and about artists communicating with each other. I would like to see more exchange."

"We have a very strong cultural tradition in Sweden, including an internationally appreciated style in glass making, furniture making and so on. For being a relatively small country, we have a very strong cultural heritage. I think that's going to be of interest to Chinese people."

The embassy will host several cultural activities this year, including events by the agency Export Music Sweden and a Children's Day at the embassy, partly as fun for children and partly as a forum on the role of children in society and their rights, a seminar on children's literature, etc.

The ambassador noted the Dashanzi Art District in the original 798 Factory that includes a Swedish art gallery ("Two Lines"). He said the district enhances the appeal of Beijing to foreigners.

"You should go there. It is an old factory area that was empty," he said. "Artists have been there for a while." He likes to visit it on weekends, to have a cup of coffee and walk around the galleries.

Economic ties

"Sweden is a country that believes very strongly in free international trade," said Lindstrom. "It is one of the reasons why we have had successful economic development.

"So every time we have international discussions about trade policies, we are always on the side of free trade. Today when we have internal discussions in the EU, we side with the notion of a genuinely common market. We do not like unnecessary duties and distorting elements to trade.

"So our relations with China have always been excellent. China appreciates Swedish thinking on international trade policy. We have also been doing well in trade between our countries.

"That is not to pretend that all is perfect. Trade statistics always vary, depending on from what angle you look at them. Chinese statistics and Swedish statistics on our mutual trade differ. We are not saying one are right and the others are wrong. If we look at the Swedish statistics, the problem we have is that we are only selling half as much to China as we are importing from China. What we are buying from China is increasing much faster than our exports to China. There are many reasons for this.

"I would like to see development where Swedish exports increase at the pace Chinese exports increase. Absolutely, I do not want to see a policy where we do anything to stop Chinese exports. That's not at all in our interest. However, it would help if to have policies that do more to promote imports to China from Sweden. For example, policies supporting the development of strategic industries should not hamper trade with Sweden."

Lindstrom said Chinese products have been beneficial in decreasing inflation and providing goods that Swedish consumers like.

He uses many Chinese products in his daily life, including textiles and electronic goods. Lindstrom added that he would like to see even more Chinese goods in Sweden, along with more investment. He noted that Sweden has a favorable business environment for Chinese companies.

(China Daily 04/14/2008 page13)