Norwegian PM's trip nurtures cooperation

China is ready to work more closely with Norway in areas such as Arctic scientific research, resource exploration and environmental protection, President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

Meeting in Beijing with visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Xi said it also is hoped that Norway will "play a more proactive role in boosting China-Nordic cooperation".

Solberg said the country is ready to expand cooperation in fields like Arctic affairs, and maintain closer contact and coordination with China in international affairs. Solberg's five-day official visit, ending Tuesday, is the first visit to China by a Norwegian prime minister in 10 years.

During Monday's meeting, Solberg voiced Norway's support for the China-led Belt and Road Initiative. Xi said the two nations should use the initiative to boost Eurasian connectivity and joint development.

With China hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Xi said Beijing would encourage exchanges related to winter sports and hosting such events.

Norway, which established diplomatic ties with China 63 years ago, is a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The two countries normalized their diplomatic relations in December after ties deteriorated in 2010. On Monday, Xi hailed Solberg's efforts in achieving the normalization of relations.

The nations' ties and cooperation will prosper as long as they stick to mutual respect and treating each other on an equal footing, and as long as they take care of and respect each other's core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

Lasting, healthy and stable bilateral ties serve the "interests of both countries and their peoples", Xi added.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn