President Hu Jintao said Sunday that China appreciates the
important role played by the Nordic countries in international
affairs and will continue to work with them to uphold world peace
and promote common development.
In a speech delivered at a welcome dinner hosted by the
Sweden-China Trade Council, Hu said the Nordic countries are noted
for their love for peace, their commitment to development and
cooperation, their active participation in international affairs,
and the generous assistance they provide to developing
countries.
"Sweden and other Nordic countries have over the years followed
development models suited to your national conditions and made
remarkable achievements in many areas," he said.
In the face of deepening economic globalization, he said, the
Nordic countries have made timely adjustments to industrial
structures and vigorously promoted scientific innovation and the
development of knowledge-based economy, thus leading the world in
international competitiveness and innovation.
There is a broad prospect for China and the Nordic countries to
draw on each other's strengths and enhance mutually beneficial
cooperation, Hu said.
"I hope that the business communities of the Nordic countries
will seize the opportunity to increase your share of the Chinese
market," he said.
To strengthen the business ties, Hu said, China and the Nordic
countries may take the following steps:
-- Increase trade and improve trade structure, enhance
mechanisms for trade cooperation and dialogue to create a more
enabling and efficient trading environment and enhance cooperation,
particularly in scientific innovation and services trade.
-- Strengthen cooperation in new energy and environmental
protection, especially in raising energy efficiency in the
construction sector and in hybrid energy and clean energy
development.
-- Encourage technological cooperation between small- and
medium-sized enterprises of China and the Nordic countries, set up
platforms for them to increase business contacts and encourage them
to share distribution channels and jointly develop products.
-- Take the Beijing Olympic Games and the Shanghai World Expo as
a good opportunity to expand cooperation.
"The Chinese government supports mutually beneficial cooperation
between our companies at various levels and in multiple areas," the
Chinese president said.
"It is my sincere hope that the business communities of our two
countries will join hands and break new ground in China-Sweden
trade and business cooperation," said the president.
Hu, who arrived in Stockholm on Friday for a state visit to
Sweden, will leave for home on Sunday night.
(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2007)
