Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the Swedish capital of
Stockholm on Friday for a state visit aimed at promoting
cooperation between China and Sweden.
President Hu flew in from the northern German city of Rostock
after attending the outreach session of the Group of Eight (G8)
summit in Heiligendamm on the Baltic Sea coast.
In a written statement issued upon his arrival at the airport,
the Chinese leader said that in recent years, China and Sweden have
steadily enhanced mutual political trust, built strong trade and
business ties, and expanded exchanges and cooperation in various
fields.
"China values its relations with Sweden and will continue to
work with Sweden to boost bilateral relations," he said.
President Hu said that during his visit, he will review with
Swedish leaders progress made in the friendly cooperation between
the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties,
exploring new ways to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation
and exchanging views on major international and regional issues of
mutual concern.
"I am confident that this visit will enhance friendship,
increase mutual trust, broaden common ground and strengthen
cooperation between China and Sweden," he said.
President Hu is expected to meet Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf,
Parliament Speaker Per Westerberg and Prime Minister Fredrik
Reinfeldt, reviewing the development of bilateral ties and making
plans for future development, according to a Chinese Foreign
Ministry official.
The two sides will sign a number of cooperation agreements,
including one on environmental protection, said the official.
In recent years, China and Sweden have enlarged cooperation in
such areas as politics, economy and trade, science and technology,
culture and education.
China is Sweden's largest trading partner in Asia, with
bilateral trade volume in 2006 amounting to US$6.7 billion, or an
18-percent increase from the previous year.
In July 2006, King Gustaf paid a state visit to China.
President Hu is scheduled to leave for home on Sunday after
concluding his visit.
(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2007)
