Swedish PM meets Chinese vice premier on deepening cooperation

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Stockholm on Monday, as the two countries vow to deepen cooperation and uphold free trade.

He first conveyed greetings from the Chinese leadership to Kristersson. He noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sweden, and that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the occasion in May.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China-Sweden cooperation has continued to expand across various fields, with increasingly close economic and trade ties and broad prospects for future development, He said.

He stated that China is ready to work with Sweden to enhance communication and deepen cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit. Both sides should jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, and promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations, He added.

He also briefed the Swedish side on request on the latest round of China-U.S. economic and trade talks.

Kristersson stated that Sweden attaches great importance to developing cooperation with China, firmly supports free trade and economic globalization, and is ready to use the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to deepen pragmatic cooperation in multiple fields and work to achieve more positive outcomes in Sweden-China relations.

Swedish PM meets Chinese vice premier on deepening cooperation

Swedish PM meets Chinese vice premier on deepening cooperation

Swedish PM meets Chinese vice premier on deepening cooperation

Swedish PM meets Chinese vice premier on deepening cooperation

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media