Visiting Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday reached a consensus on the further development of bilateral ties and trade cooperation, and other issues of common concern.

 

The development of Sino-Norwegian ties had maintained strong momentum in recent years, with frequent exchanges of high-level visits, increasing political mutual understanding and satisfactory trade cooperation, said Zeng.

 

China, Norway's largest trade partner in Asia, had carried out fruitful cooperation with the Scandinavian country in environmental protection, science and technology, health, education and other fields, he added.

 

Acknowledging that further development of bilateral cooperation would serve the interests of both peoples, Zeng urged the two countries to further upgrade their trade cooperation and explore new areas for future cooperation.

 

Moreover, Zeng said China was ready to consult and coordinate with Norway on major international and regional issues, adding that the two sides would support each other in international organizations such as the United Nations, and jointly contribute to world peace and development.

 

Stoltenberg said his country highly valued its friendly cooperation with China and wished to strengthen cooperation on issues such as trade liberalization, energy saving and exploration, environmental protection and the reforms of the United Nations.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2006)