Chinese Premier Confers With Swedish Deputy PMChinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Tuesday that the Chinese government highly values its ties with Sweden and believes that Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Lena Hjelm- Wallen's current China visit will further promote the growth of these ties.Zhu made the remark in his meeting with Hjelm-Wallen in Zhongnanhai, seat of the central government. Zhu recalled his visit to Sweden in 1992 and previous meeting with Hjelm-Wallen in 1995. "Today coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Sweden. During the past 50 years, bilateral ties between our two countries have seen steady growth with ever more frequent high- level contacts and communication, and smooth cooperation in all fields," Zhu said. In the international arena, the two countries also support and cooperate with the other, he noted. During their meeting, Zhu briefed the guests on China's economic growth and reform process, with focus on the topic on China's stance on its entry into the World Trade Organization. Hjelm-Wallen expressed her admiration for China's development, saying that she is impressed by China's socio-economic achievements. "Sweden was the first Western nation to forge diplomatic relations with China, and we are proud of having such an old friend as China," she told Zhu. |
| Please visit People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |