Xi calls for expanding Sino-Swedish cooperation to new areas
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He said that China welcomes Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of China and Sweden establishing diplomatic ties when the king visits the Shanghai EXPO, which is slated to open on May 1.
The Chinese side is willing to use the existing channels of dialogue to enhance mutual political trust and exchange views with the Swedish side on bilateral relations, international political and economic situations, the climate change, non-traditional security matters and other major world and regional issues, Xi said.
Sweden has for long been pursuing the one-China police and has always supported China on issues related with Tibet and Taiwan, he said, China appreciates it and hopes Sweden will continue with it.
Sino-Swedish cooperation can expand from the traditional areas of machinery building, car manufacturing, telecommunications, forest industry, household electric appliance and textiles to the new fields of eco-city construction, energy-saving and environment- protecting technology, biology research and banking, Xi said.
China will renew the agreement on cultural exchange with Sweden, continue to support Chinese language teaching in Sweden and Confucius Institute improvement projects, encourage young people from both sides to participate more in exchange programs and increase the number of scholarships and government grants to students, the Chinese vice president said.
China welcomes Sweden to make good use of the opportunities offered by the Shanghai EXPO and the 60th anniversary of the two countries' establishment of diplomatic ties to hold exhibitions and performances in China to promote the mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples of Sweden and China, Xi said.
Xi also expounded the principles held by China on the international financial crisis, the Doha round of WTO trade negotiations, the climate change, human rights dialogue as well as China's stand on further developing Sino-European relations.
Reinfeldt said that Sweden, one of the Western countries which established diplomatic ties with China early in the 1950s, has been enjoying a friendly and cooperative relationship with China over the past 60 years and that the bilateral relations have been witnessing a rapid growth in recent years.
Eleven visits to China have been made by ministers in the current Swedish government and Swedish exports to China increased 21 percent in 2009 when the entire world was adversely affected by the international financial crisis, the Swedish prime minister said.
The Swedish side believes that efforts made by the Chinese delegation at the Copenhagen climate change conference are positive, and his country is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the coming 60 years in economy, technological innovation, environment protection, the climate change, urban development and human rights, Reinfeldt said.
A new mechanism for economic cooperation should be put in place to keep the current momentum of development of relations between Sweden and China, he said.
After their talks, the two leaders met the press and attended a signing ceremony for cooperation documents.
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