China and Sweden signed agreements on trade and environmental
protection yesterday as President Hu Jintao wound up his visit to the
Scandinavian country.
Hu and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt witnessed the
signing of the pacts after official talks in the Swedish capital,
where Hu paid a state visit at the invitation of King Carl XVI
Gustav, who made a state visit to China last July.
It was the first visit ever by a Chinese head of state since the
two countries established diplomatic ties in 1950.
"China appreciates Sweden for its free-trade policies and its
support for China's complete market economy status," Hu said.
He made a five-point proposal on enhancing bilateral ties:
Strengthen political dialogue at various levels;
Deepen economic and trade cooperation in such areas as
telecommunications, environmental protection and biotechnology;
Expand personnel and cultural exchanges;
Coordinate in international affairs, particularly in United
Nations reform, sustainable development, poverty relief and
promotion of free trade;
Expand understanding and common ground.
China is Sweden's largest trading partner in Asia, with
bilateral trade worth US$6.7 billion in 2006, an 18 percent
increase from the previous year.
Hu flew to Sweden on Friday on a three-day visit after attending
the outreach session of the Group of Eight summit in Heiligendamm,
Germany.
(China Daily June 11, 2007)
