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Wang Yi: China and Norway Should Grasp Three Principles

2020-08-28 14:07

On August 27, 2020 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was paying an official visit to Norway, jointly met with the press in Oslo with Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide.

Wang Yi said, this is the first visit to Norway by a Chinese foreign minister in 15 years, and also the first visit to Norway after the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Europe. The main message this visit conveys is: cherish the healthy and stable development of China-Norway relations achieved in recent years, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in the post-epidemic era at an early date, jointly uphold and practice the concept of multilateralism, and make China and Norway's contributions to the recovery of world economy and strengthening global governance.

Wang Yi said, I had fruitful talks with Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide. The Chinese side proposes that in the next stage, China and Norway should grasp three principles.

First, grasp the dominant aspect in the healthy and stable development of China-Norway relations. China and Norway are thousands of miles away from each other with very different national conditions. However, as long as we continue to respect each other, treat each other as equals, and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, bilateral relations can move forward stably and the political foundation of bilateral relations can be further consolidated.

Second, grasp the main tone of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Norway. Amid the epidemic, early completion of the China-Norway Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations is of great significance to advancing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and keeping the global supply chain open and connected. The two sides should speed up the negotiation and strive for a conclusion at an early date. The Chinese side attaches great importance to Norwegian exports of seafood to China. The Chinese side is willing to establish communication channels with the Norwegian side to provide more facilitation measures on the premise of ensuring food safety. The two sides will be committed to establishing a mechanism of maritime cooperation and dialogue, as well as negotiation and signing of a blue partnership agreement. The two sides should sign an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation and tax treaty at an early date, and continue to strengthen cooperation in winter sports.

Third, grasp the main theme of jointly safeguarding multilateralism. Norway plays a unique role in international affairs. Both China and Norway are beneficiaries and supporters of globalization, multilateralism and free trade, and are always opposed to unilateralism and protectionism. The Chinese side congratulates Norway on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from 2021 to 2022. China is willing to, together with the Norwegian side, establish a multilateral consultation mechanism, and strengthen cooperation in the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other multilateral frameworks, as well as in peace talks, development assistance and other issues. Both countries can also work closely to comprehensively and well implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, promote the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and jointly safeguard the concept of multilateralism and the basic norms of international relations, so as to contribute more positive energy to a world full of instabilities.

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