China is ready to expand and deepen friendly cooperation with Sweden in all fields in continued efforts to push forward the bilateral relationship, senior leader Wu Guanzheng said in Stockholm on Wednesday.

Wu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held talks with Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Bosse Ringholm in Stockholm.

Sino-Swedish ties have enjoyed sound development since the two countries set up diplomatic ties 55 years ago, with increased cooperation in the political, economic, trade, scientific and technological fields, Wu said, adding that exchanges in the cultural, educational and tourism fields have become increasingly active.

Wu, who is also secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC Central Committee, said a strengthened bilateral relationship conforms to the common interests of the two countries and peoples and that there are great potentials for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.

Wu also expressed his appreciation for the Swedish government's adherence to the one-China policy.

Ringholm said bilateral economic and trade cooperation has been growing rapidly in recent years and China has become an important trading partner of Sweden.

The Swedish side values its friendly ties of cooperation with China, Ringholm said. The Swedish government encourages more Chinese companies to invest in Sweden, he said.

Through joint efforts, new achievements would be made in bilateral friendly cooperation in all sectors, he added.

The two also briefed each other on anti-corruption efforts in their respective countries.

Wu arrived from Malta, the first leg of his four-nation European tour, which, after Sweden, will also take him to Finland and Belarus.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2005)