The Chinese National People's Congress will enhance exchanges with the Norwegian parliament in all areas, said top legislator Wu Bangguo Tuesday.

 

During a meeting with visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Wu said the legislative cooperation between the two countries have become closer in the recent years.

 

China and Norway are mutually complementary in economy, said Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, adding that China's growing economy brings about more opportunities for cooperation with Norway.

 

According to official statistics, the trade volumes between China and Norway reached nearly US$3 billion in 2006. The two sides have fruitful cooperation in energy, environmental protection, science and technology, culture and other fields.

 

Vice President Zeng Qinghong also met with Stoltenberg Tuesday. He pledged to further the relationship with Norway based on mutual respect, equality and reciprocity.

 

Stoltenberg said he is impressed with the development and changes in China, and that China has found a development road fit to its conditions.

 

He said his government is ready to work with the Chinese side to expand bilateral cooperation into new fields and boost existing cooperation in trade, environmental protection, fishery, and personnel exchanges.

 

Stoltenberg is on his third trip to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao who held talks with him Monday.

 

The two prime ministers agreed to launch a joint feasibility study on a free-trade agreement between the two countries at an early date. They also reached consensus on set a cooperation framework on environmental protection.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2007)