Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang (left) shakes hands with Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt during their meeting in Oslo, Norway, May 12, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
OSLO – China appreciates Norway's firm adherence to the one-China policy and appreciates that the two countries respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said in Oslo on Friday.
He made the remarks when jointly meeting the press with his Norwegian counterpart, Anniken Huitfeldt.
Qin said that after candid talks with Huitfeldt, they both have confidence in and expectations for the development of China-Norway relations.
The most important experience of the steady development of bilateral relations lies in adhering to mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results, and in seeking common ground while reserving differences, he said.
The two sides exchanged views on the idea of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the next step, and agreed to resume and accelerate bilateral exchanges as soon as possible, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance understanding and deepen friendship through more frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, he said.
Qin Gang said the combat against climate change and the transition to a model of green development can become new key areas for China-Norway cooperation
The two sides compared notes on trade and investment, marine affairs, green transition, climate change, cultural exchange, tourism and local-to-local cooperation, said the Chinese state councilor.
China has decided to enlist Norway as one of the eligible countries for the 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy in relevant Chinese port cities, and the two countries have just signed a new version of the bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, he said, adding that relevant cooperation results will bring more dividends to Chinese and Norwegian companies and people.
The Chinese government has made unremitting efforts to protect human rights, and that Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet-related issues are not human rights issues, but issues related to safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests, he pointed out.
Stressing that China firmly opposes external forces taking advantage of these issues to create instability in the country, Qin said the essence of the Taiwan question is a fight against secession. China expects the Taiwan Strait to remain peaceful and stable, and to achieve peaceful reunification of China, he added.
It is the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and some countries' connivance and support for the "Taiwan independence" that have been undermining the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, Qin said, stressing the unwavering determination of the Chinese government and people to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China is willing to join hands with Norway to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Qin said.
China also stands ready to strengthen cooperation in peace and reconciliation affairs with Norway, and promote world peace and development, he added.
Qin emphasized that the top priority for the Ukraine crisis is to facilitate a ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities without delay, and ultimately resolve the crisis through political negotiations. China will always stand on the side of peace and insist on promoting peace talks, he noted.
It is hoped that all parties involved in the crisis will remain calm and restrained, make joint efforts to resolve the crisis through negotiations, and foster a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture so as to achieve enduring stability and security in the region, he said.
Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Norwegian Parliament in Oslo, Norway, May 12, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Climate change
While meeting with members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Norwegian Parliament, the Chinese foreign minister said the combat against climate change and the transition to a model of green development can become new key areas for China-Norway cooperation.
China's modernization is committed to harmony between humanity and nature, he added.
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Norwegian Parliament is an important part of the Norwegian foreign policymaking mechanism, Qin said, asking the parliamentary members to make positive and constructive contributions to China-Norway relations.
The Norwegian parliamentary members said that their parliament and people are deeply interested in China, paying close attention to China's development and its role in international and regional affairs, and appreciate China's influence in tackling climate change.