Foreign and Military Affairs

China keen to develop ties with Swedish military

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-27 08:41

STOCKHOLM - China is keen to develop a friendly and cooperative relationship between Chinese and Swedish military forces, hoping to have more exchange and cooperation in various fields in the future, said visiting General Chen Bingde, chief of the general staff of People's Liberation Army of China in Stockholm on Thursday.

As an important part of bilateral relations, China is positive in developing friendly and cooperative relations with Swedish military, hoping to have more personnel exchanges, improve mutual understanding and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields to further improve relations between the two sides, said Chen, who had separate meetings with Sten Tolgfors, Swedish minister for defense and Frank Belfrage, state secretary in Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

In recent years, frequent high level visits between the two countries have constantly improved political trust between the two sides and the two countries have kept communication and coordination in international affairs, said Chen, who is also a member of the Central Military Commission of China.

As the first western country that established diplomatic relations with China in 1950, Sweden has become the largest trade partner of China among Nordic countries.

Chen said that the two sides have actively cooperated in various fields including environmental protection, education, science and technology and culture and deepened mutual understanding.

China pays great attention to friendly and cooperative relations with Sweden and is willing to jointly push forward Sino-Swedish relations healthily and smoothly, said Chen.

Tolgfors and Belfrage are also very positive about Sino-Swedish relations.

Sweden and China have enjoyed long-term friendship and cooperation. Since reform and opening up, the Chinese economy has developed rapidly and China is exerting an increasing role on the world stage, Tolgfors said.

Although there are differences between the military forces in the two countries, both are devoted to maintaining world peace and stability. Sweden also hopes to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, Tolgfors said.

Belfrage said that both Sweden and China have greatly benefited from the rapid development of bilateral cooperation in many fields.

Sweden also pays great attention to relations with China, hoping the two sides will further strengthen dialogue and exchange, constantly expand cooperation and push forward bilateral relations, Belfrage said.

Chinese Ambassador to Sweden Lan Lijun and other members of the delegation were also present at the meetings.

The Chinese delegation arrived in Stockholm on Wednesday for a three-day visit to Sweden.