China is ready to take Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard's upcoming visit as an opportunity to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, and deepen cooperation between the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
"At the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, the Swedish foreign minister will pay an official visit to China from October 16 to 17," said Lin.
"Sweden is the first Western country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China. This May, President Xi Jinping and King Carl XVI Gustaf exchanged congratulatory messages on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, agreeing to continue deepening pragmatic cooperation and promoting friendly relations between the two countries," he said.
"China is willing to work with Sweden to take the visit as an opportunity to deliver on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. On the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, we aim to enhance communication, increase mutual trust, and deepen cooperation to ensure steady and long-term development of bilateral relations," said Lin.
Swedish FM to visit China: spokesman
