Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in Beijing on Monday. Both agreed to deepen cooperation.

During their talks, Wen said as the first western country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China 58 years ago, Sweden and China have continued to increase mutual trust and understanding, as well as expand cooperation in all areas.

The recent years, in particular, have seen rapid growth in bilateral trade volume, said Wen, noting that China has become the largest trade partner for Sweden in Asia.

Fruitful results have been made in bilateral investment and technological cooperation with vigorous exchanges among the two peoples and sound coordination in international affairs.

Wen said against the backdrop of development of economic globalization, enhancing bilateral cooperation is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and is conducive to promote China-EU strategic partnership.

China is ready to maintain high-level contacts and consultations at all levels, and develop exchanges and cooperation in human rights on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

China will also actively expand cooperation in environment protection and energy saving technology, create conditions to encourage business investment and trade exchange, as well as cement exchanges in culture and social development, said the premier.

In response, Reinfeldt said Sweden attached importance to keeping good dialogue and cooperation with China.

Sweden is opposed to trade protection against China and is willing to further expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and protection of intellectual property right.

Reinfeldt also expressed his hope of strengthening exchanges and cooperation with China in energy saving, emission reduction and climate change in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

After their talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony of a series of agreements concerning environment protection, sustainable development and communication.

China's top legislator Wu Bangguo also met with Reinfeldt.

Both of them pledged to enhance political dialogue, expand cooperation under the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits.

Reinfeldt arrived in Beijing on Sunday, continuing his five-day state visit to China. He has just finished his attendance in the year's annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in China's Sanya, a platform for high-level interaction between leaders from Asia and the world.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2008)