The 6th China-Nordic Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum is set to open on Thursday in central China's Wuhan City, with emerging fields such as green development and the digital economy expected to be at the top of agenda , said the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.
The China-Nordic Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum is China's first and only long-term mechanism dedicated to economic collaboration with the Nordic region. Agreements on cooperation in nearly 100 projects worth a combined total of over 160 billion yuan (about 22.5 billion U.S. dollars) were signed during the previous five editions.
The upcoming edition of the forum will feature emerging fields and tracks such as green and low-carbon development and the digital economy, and will include more than 10 special events such as the Green Shipping Development Forum, the New Energy Vehicle Industry Matchmaking Meeting, and the Cross-border E-commerce Cooperation Forum, Wang Yupeng, deputy director of the ministry's Department of European Affairs, told a press conference in Beijing.
"We will hold events to promote characteristic industries from local regions and cities and dialogues with multinational companies, and invite representative enterprises and business associations of Nordic countries in China, with the participation of well-known domestic entrepreneurs and scholars. We want to promote more cooperation through precise matchmaking and pragmatic negotiations," Wang said.
China and Nordic countries have broadened their trade and economic cooperation in recent years, with expanded scale and improved quality. During the first eight months of this year, trade volume between China and the five Nordic countries, comprising Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark, reached 35.44 billion U.S. dollars, up 5.7 percent year on year, according to the ministry.
2024 China-Nordic trade forum to highlight emerging sectors: commerce ministry
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
