China is prepared to introduce visa-free entry for Swedish citizens to encourage tourism and help more people experience the country firsthand, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday in Beijing. The move aims to boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
Wang, who serves as a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the statement during talks with Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He expressed hope that Sweden will take an active role in supporting the sound and steady development of China–EU relations.
Highlighting that Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, Wang said the two sides should continue to see each other as partners rather than competitors and prioritize cooperation over differences. He encouraged Sweden to approach its relations with China with independent and long-term strategic thinking.
This year marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between China and Sweden. Wang called on both countries to follow through on agreements reached by their leaders and make full use of dialogue mechanisms in trade and economic cooperation. He also urged deeper collaboration in areas such as technology, digital economy, green development, healthcare, and investment, as well as stronger coordination in multilateral settings.
Stenergard said she was pleased to be the first Swedish foreign minister to visit China in 16 years and emphasized that Sweden attaches great importance to its relationship with China while maintaining its one-China policy.
She noted that Sweden hopes to develop a balanced and mutually beneficial trade partnership and is ready to expand cooperation in science, innovation, and environmental sustainability. She also welcomed stronger ties in education and cultural exchange.
Stenergard thanked China for introducing the visa-free policy for Swedish nationals, saying it would make it easier for more Swedes to visit China.
She acknowledged China's role in global affairs, congratulated the country on hosting the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, and commended its new climate commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) framework.
Stenergard reaffirmed Sweden's support for open and free trade and called for continued dialogue and cooperation.
Both sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and other regional and international issues.
Source:Xinhua
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