Visiting Member of the Standing Committee of Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Li Changchun met with Norwegian Prime Minister & Labor Party Leader Jens Stoltenberg in Oslo on the afternoon of June 16, local time. Both sides exchanged views on furthering bilateral relations, inter-party exchanges and other issues of common interest in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

Li made positive comments on bilateral relations. He said that with the joint efforts of both sides, bilateral mutual political trust has been growing continuously with fruitful cooperation in economic and trade area. China has remained Norway's largest trading partner in Asia for four successive years. Bilateral cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, shipbuilding, shipping, energy, fishery, health and polar research has been steadily expanded. China holds that bilateral cooperation enjoys huge potential and broad prospect and hopes to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, strengthen consultation and coordination in international affairs and push for continuous progress of bilateral relations. Li also appreciated Norway for adhering to the one-China policy.

When talking about bilateral inter-party relations, Li emphasized that both the CPC and the Norwegian Labor Party are ruling parties and shoulder the heavy task of leading the people in national development. The CPC is willing to work with the Norwegian Labor Party to reinforce exchanges on the basis of the four principles for party-to-party relations, exchange experience in governing the party and state and promote long-term healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.

Stoltenberg welcomed Li's visit on behalf of the Norwegian Government and gave high credit to China's achievements in economic and social development. He said that China has been developing at an amazing speed. In particular, China's achievements in eradicating poverty and improving people's livelihood have made enormous contributions to world prosperity and stability. Currently bilateral relations have witnessed sound development. Norway attaches great importance to the development of friendly cooperation with China and is willing to enhance cooperation and coordination with China in energy exploitation and utilization, the UN reform and other issues. Stoltenberg also reiterated that Norway will adhere to the one-China policy. With regard to inter-party relations, Stoltenberg agreed with Li's comments on exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and expressed congratulations for the upcoming 85th anniversary of the CPC on behalf of the Norwegian Labor Party.

During the meeting, Li also briefed on China's political, economic and social developments in recent years and elaborated upon request China's principled position on human rights and the UN reform, as well as ethnic and religious policies.

On the same day, Li held a courtesy meeting at the hotel where he stayed with Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim and both sides held in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, energy and energy saving within the bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

On the afternoon of the same day, Li also met with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Norway and representatives from overseas Chinese and Chinese students in a cordial atmosphere.