Norway to deepen cooperation with China in multiple areas: Norwegian king

Norwegian King Harald V delivered a speech in Beijing on Monday. (People's Daily Online/Xu Xiangli)

Speaking highly of China's opening up policies and its economic achievements over the past four decades, King Harald V of Norway noted on Monday that Norway is willing to deepen cooperation with China in multiple areas, including social welfare and climate change.

The King of Norway spoke at the annual Sino-Norwegian Research Symposium held at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, an event that marks the King's fourth visit to China.

"Through the decades, from my first visit to China in 1985, and then in 1997, 2008 and now 2018, we have witnessed China opening to the world and gaining prosperity," said the King.

According to King Harald, though China and Norway have different cultures and histories, the ambition to create welfare for all is a bond that unites both nations, and the two countries should learn from each other and deepen cooperation to further promote sustainable development worldwide.

"The goal [China] has set for 2020 is not only to eradicate poverty, but to build a modern, prosperous society in all aspects… prosperity is not just a question of individual income, this is a more ambitious goal, you are aiming for better social welfare for all," he said during his speech.

Admiring China's crucial contribution to poverty alleviation, the King also added that as part of the global community, China and Norway should stick together to deal with global concerns including climate change, noting that such issues cannot be tackled without international cooperation.

Echoing the King, Ine Eriksen Søreide, the foreign minister of Norway, stressed that the international rules based on order are now under pressure, while the two nations should cooperate to build a world where people's potential and creativity can be realized through cooperation, trade, and exchange of knowledge.

"By opening up the doors to the outside world, China has achieved unprecedented progress, while Norway has been a trading nation for centuries. Norway and China should mobilize to defend norms and institutions that we have perhaps taken too much for granted," she added.

The King and the Queen's state visit to China started on Oct. 11 and will last nine days, during which time they will also visit the Dunhuang Caves in Gansu province, as well as cities including Shanghai and Suzhou.