China is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels with Sweden, leverage complementary strengths, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and drive bilateral relations onto a sound, stable and sustainable track, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm.
During their meeting, Kristersson asked Wang to convey his best wishes to Chinese leaders. He said Sweden and China, as well as their peoples, enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges, adding that Sweden admires Chinese culture and its spirit of innovation, and appreciates China’s remarkable development achievements.
Kristersson said the Swedish government adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen dialogue, broaden consensus and advance mutually beneficial and promising cooperation across various fields with China.
Sweden also supports Europe and China in strengthening dialogue and properly managing differences, Kristersson added.
Wang conveyed greetings from Chinese leaders to Kristersson and said exchanges between China and Sweden date back to the ancient Silk Road. Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, demonstrating its independence and strategic vision while setting an example for the international community, he added.
China-Sweden relations have encountered some difficulties in recent years, Wang noted, stressing that it is particularly important for the two sides to strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual understanding and rebuild mutual trust, and it is even more crucial to maintain a correct perception of each other.
Wang said the Communist Party of China has led more than 1.4 billion Chinese people in eradicating absolute poverty, and the Party has maintained continuity and stability in domestic and foreign policies, providing the world with much-needed certainty.
A better-developed China will benefit the world and create new opportunities for all countries, including Sweden, he added, expressing his hope that Sweden will play a constructive role in promoting China-Europe relations.
During the visit, Wang also held talks with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and met with Jacob Wallenberg, chair of the board of Sweden-based Investor AB.