President Hu Jintao Sunday made a five-point proposal aiming to
boost ties between China and Sweden.
Hu, who is on a state visit to Sweden, and Swedish Prime
Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt held official talks Sunday morning.
On political relations, Hu urged China and Sweden, an important
nation in northern Europe and a major member of the European Union,
to increase political dialogue, deepen understanding and enhance
mutual trust.
Economically, he suggested that the two countries enhance
cooperation in such fields as telecommunications, environmental
protection, energy saving and bio-pharmacy.
"China welcomes investment by Swedish enterprises in China, in
particular, their participation in China's drive to develop its
vast western areas and revitalize the old industrial base in
northeast China," he said.
"We appreciate Sweden for its adherence to a free trade policy
and its readiness to grant China a full market economy status," he
said.
Hu also urged steps to increase bilateral cooperation in
culture, education, tourism and sports and encourage two-way
exchanges between young people, local governments and media.
On international affairs, the two countries should make
bilateral cooperation closer and exchange views on reforms of the
United Nations, sustainable development, poverty eradication,
climate change and promotion of free trade, he said.
He finally urged both sides to "increase understanding, expand
consensus, and narrow down differences for promoting
cooperation."
Hu is the first Chinese head of state to visit Sweden in 57
years since the two countries established diplomatic relations.
"The Swedish side attaches great importance to the visit," said
Reinfeldt.
He agreed with Hu on his comments on Sino-Swedish ties and
believed that the two countries should strengthen high-level
exchanges and consultations.
On the China-EU relations, Hu said that China hopes the EU will
play an active and constructive role in the international affairs
and also expects Sweden, an EU member, to continue to play its role
in advancing China-EU relations.
Reinfeldt told Hu that Sweden will hold the rotating EU
presidency in 2009 and will be willing to contribute to the growth
of EU-China relations.
(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2007)
