Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg (left), walks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on Friday. | Photo Credit: AP

Norway’s Prime Minister is visiting China as part of a restoration of full contacts between the two countries more than six years after Beijing froze Oslo out over the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to an imprisoned Chinese dissident.

Following a welcoming ceremony on Friday, Erna Solberg was told by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that her visit symbolized the normalization of the China-Norwegian relationship.

In 2010, Norway’s Nobel committee awarded Liu Xiaobo the peace prize, infuriating China. Although Norway’s government has no say over the Nobel panel’s choices, China suspended a bilateral trade deal and restricted imports of Norwegian salmon.

In December, the countries said normal relations have resumed. The Chinese Foreign Ministry then said that Norway “made important and explicit statements on issues concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” </s> BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Norway signed a pact on Friday to resume free trade negotiations, marking the end of a six-year diplomatic freeze, a move China called internationally significant, against the backdrop of a rise in protectionist sentiment worldwide.

Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg (R) and China's Premier Li Keqiang inspect honour guards during a welcoming ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China April 7, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee

The memorandum of understanding was one of six pacts covering cooperation on economic development, technology, health, science and sport during Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s visit to China, the first since the countries resumed diplomatic relations in December.

Until then relations between Oslo and Beijing had been on ice, following the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.

“Your visit to China shows that our relations will again, from a new starting point, go on a long journey,” Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told Solberg ahead of a formal two-way meeting.

It was important to find “common areas of interest” as relations normalize, Solberg added.

Li emphasized the international significance of renewal of the talks, given recent setbacks to globalization and rising protectionism, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry official who briefed reporters on the meeting.

“The resumption of free trade negotiations in this context is very important,” said Liu Weimin, the vice-director of the ministry’s European department.

Liu Xiaobo, who was involved in the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests crushed by the Chinese army, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 on subversion charges for organizing a petition urging an end to one-party rule. He remains in prison.

The Nobel peace prize winner is chosen by a committee in Oslo, while other recipients of the annual awards are decided in Stockholm.

The row between Oslo and Beijing led to difficulties for Norwegian salmon exporters.

Solberg will travel to the business hub of Shanghai and the eastern city of Hangzhou before returning to Beijing to meet President Xi Jinping on Monday. </s> Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg began a trade trip to China on Friday, signaling a restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries, six years after China cut relations over a Chinese dissident's selection as Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Solberg met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a welcoming ceremony, in which the premier told Solberg the visit "symbolizes the normalization of the China-Norwegian relationship."

China cut off ties with Norway in 2010, after the Nobel committee awarded its peace prize to Liu Xiabao, a Chinese dissident convicted of subversion in 2009 for writing a document calling for democracy in China.

Despite Norway's government having no control over the peace prize selection process, China suspended a bilateral trade deal with Norway and restricted imports of Norwegian salmon.

Solberg told Li she thinks the two countries can "find a lot of common areas of shared interests to work together."

An official statement from Norway's government named combating climate change as one of the areas for possible cooperation, and said China is "playing a key role" in the area already.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in December the two countries had restored normal relations after Norway "made important and explicit statements on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity." </s> Industry Minister, Monica Mæland, confirmed that Norway and China will resume negotiations on a free trade agreement within five months.

On Thursday, Mæland met representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in Beijing.

Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, is leading a Norwegian delegation on an official visit to China, with the resumption of political and economic cooperation between China and Norway being the main purpose of the visit.

‘We have agreed to start free trade negotiations again within five months’, she said.

Negotiations between China and Norway came to a standstill in 2010.

‘I feel that we are both keen to create a modern, forward-looking agreement. The world looks different in 2017 than it did in 2010.

China is our most important trading partner in Asia. Putting in place a system of agreements relating to that fact is very important for Norwegian industry in the future,’ said Mæland. </s> BEIJING — Norway's prime minister began a visit to China on Friday as part of a restoration of full contacts between the two countries, more than six years after Beijing froze Oslo out over the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to an imprisoned Chinese dissident.

Following a welcoming ceremony Friday, Erna Solberg was told by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that, "Your visit symbolizes the normalization of China-Norwegian relationship."

Solberg, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Borge Brende and a trade delegation, replied that the normalization process would help the countries "find a lot of common areas of shared interests to work together."

"China is playing a key role in the efforts to combat climate change, and I welcome the fact that this is high on Premier Li's agenda," a Norwegian government statement quoted Solberg as saying. It said Li expressed an interest in strengthening between Norway and China in the Arctic.

In 2010, Norway's Nobel committee awarded dissident Liu Xiaobo the peace prize, infuriating China. Although Norway's government has no say over the Nobel panel's choices, China suspended a bilateral trade deal and restricted imports of Norwegian salmon.

Liu was convicted of subversion in 2009 and sentenced to 11 years in prison after he wrote and disseminated Charter '08, a document calling for democracy.

Beijing had always demanded that Norway recognize the "error" of awarding the prize to Liu, but was not specific about what it wanted. China had characterized the awarding of the prize as "gross interference" in its affairs.

In December, the countries said normal relations had resumed. The Chinese Foreign Ministry then said that Norway "made important and explicit statements on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity." </s> China and Norway have signed a pact to resume free-trade negotiations, signaling a restoration of diplomatic ties six years after Beijing froze relations with Oslo over the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to an imprisoned Chinese dissident.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg yesterday held talks and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents ranging from the resumption of a free trade agreement negotiations, and science and technology, to sports and health.

Solberg's visit is the first by a Norwegian Prime Minister since bilateral ties deteriorated after the Oslo-based Nobel Committee conferred the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize on convicted Liu Xiaobo who campaigned for civil rights.

Liu, 63, a literary critic, writer, professor and human rights activist, had called for political reforms and the end of the one-party rule of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

China calls him a criminal. He was sentenced to 11 years in jail on December 25, 2009, after a court in Beijing convicted him of engaging in activities designed to overthrow the government and continued to languish in prison.

Till 2012, Nobel Prize was viewed with contempt by China and its official media as it was awarded to the Dalai Lama for his peaceful struggle for the betterment of Tibetans and to Liu.

However, Beijing welcomed Nobel Prize for literature to Chinese writer Mo Yan in 2012, saying that Mo's "victory reflects the prosperity and progress of Chinese literature, as well as the increasing influence of China".

China and Norway agreed to normalise relations in December after Oslo pledged to respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Receiving Solberg at the Great Hall of the People yesterday, Li said that China-Norway relations had got back on track, which deserved to be treasured by both sides.

Li called on Norway to adhere to the one-China principle and work with China in the spirit of mutual respect, treat each other on an equal footing, and respect each other's core interests and major concerns to enhance political trust to reboot the relationship.

"China is willing to restart free trade agreement negotiation and political consultation mechanisms with Norway, establish an inter-governmental energy policy dialogue and increase the exchanges between the business community," Li said.

Li said China and Norway could strengthen cooperation in energy and marine projects to explore third markets, enhancing exchanges in various fields including agriculture, fishery, husbandry, science and innovation, and law enforcement.

"China is pushing forward a new round of opening-up to make the country the most attractive investment destination. China welcomes Norwegian enterprises and sovereign wealth funds to expand investment in China for win-win outcomes," he said.

Solberg said Norway would follow the guideline of a joint statement on the normalisation of bilateral ties, uphold the one-China policy, respect China's core interests and major concerns, and enhance political trust with China.

Solberg said Norway hoped for the early resumption of bilateral free trade agreement negotiations and would expand cooperation in areas like agriculture, fishery, environmental protection, finance, investment and winter sports.

"Norway supports China to play an active role in the Arctic Council," Solberg added. </s> Norway will seize new chances to expand a close cooperation with China, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said in an interview with Chinese media in Oslo, the country’s capital city before she started a 4-day official visit to China, adding that she felt honored to have a meeting with Chinese leaders during her upcoming visit upon invitation. 

 

 China-Norway relationship deteriorated due to controversy around the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 and events connected to the Prize. 

 

 After rounds of in-depth dialogues, Norway finally made a clear-cut statement on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as other agendas involved the latter’s core interest and major concerns after completely getting China’s stances and concerns. 

 

 The ultimate turnabout provided necessary conditions for both sides to rebuild political mutual trust and normalize their ties. 

 

 Chinese and Norwegian governments, last December, issued a statement on their decision to normalize bilateral relationship. 

 

 The normalization of bilateral relations after a six-year-long stagnation does not come easy, Solberg pointed out, vowing that both countries will write new chapter in their cooperation in all fields and embrace new chances in deepening all-round collaboration. 

 

 A closer bilateral collaboration in politics, economy and cultural exchanges, according to the Prime Minister, serves as the foundation for a sustained, stable and healthy development of their ties. 

 

 Norway and China are now restarting their talks on free trade agreement, Solberg disclosed when talking about economic relationship. The agreement will boost two-way trade and investment, create more job positions and as a result benefit the two countries and their peoples, she further explained. 

 

 She said that a large economic and trade team was included in her delegation as well, and the members plan to seek more cooperation potential through a close contact with business circles in Shanghai and Beijing. 

 

 Arctic affairs, oceans, innovation as well as maritime agendas are expected to be key fields where both countries will intensify cooperation, Solberg pointed out. 

 

 Praising bilateral cooperation on arctic affairs as promising, she said that her country is happy to see China's accession to the Arctic Council as an observer, and the polar route will be a shortcut linking Norway and China on the sea. 

 

 The Prime Minister also suggested a bolstered collaboration in utilization of marine resources and treatment on sea pollution. Both countries can also tap cooperation potential in innovation as their colleges and universities have launched some mutually needed cooperation projects in this regard, she added. 

 

 Solberg recalled her Chinese visit decade ago, during which she watched a drama adapted from the writings of Henrik Johan Ibsen, a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright. 

 

 The performance was given by Chinese and Norwegian actors, and the heroine was also from Bergen, Solberg’s hometown. 

 

 Impressed by the show, she was touched by not only the organic combination of Chinese and Norwegian culture, but also the composer’s deep understanding of the two cultures. 

 

 People-to-people exchanges play a key part in bilateral relations, the Prime Minister said, suggesting an enhanced personnel exchange on winter sports. She continued that much more Chinese tourists are now traveling to Norway, especially in winter. 

 

 Norway, as the host of 1994 Winter Olympics as well as a traditional winter sport power, has accumulated a lot of experience in hosting winter games, and both countries, therefore, can beef up collaboration on preparation for winter games as well training of young players, Solberg suggested. 

 

 She also hailed the keynote speech given by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the World Economic Forum held in Davos this January, saying that it is a timely speech amidst the rising tide of trade protectionism. 

 

 China’s support to multilateralism is significant for many small-sized nations, she added. 

 Norway, China to write new chapter of pragmatic cooperation: PM 

 

 By Huang Yundi from People’s Daily 

 

 Norway will seize new chances to expand a close cooperation with China, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said in an interview with Chinese media in Oslo, the country’s capital city before she started a 4-day official visit to China, adding that she felt honored to have a meeting with Chinese leaders during her upcoming visit upon invitation. 

 

 China-Norway relationship deteriorated due to controversy around the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 and events connected to the Prize. 

 

 After rounds of in-depth dialogues, Norway finally made a clear-cut statement on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as other agendas involved the latter’s core interest and major concerns after completely getting China’s stances and concerns. 

 

 The ultimate turnabout provided necessary conditions for both sides to rebuild political mutual trust and normalize their ties. 

 

 Chinese and Norwegian governments, last December, issued a statement on their decision to normalize bilateral relationship. 

 

 The normalization of bilateral relations after a six-year-long stagnation does not come easy, Solberg pointed out, vowing that both countries will write new chapter in their cooperation in all fields and embrace new chances in deepening all-round collaboration. 

 

 A closer bilateral collaboration in politics, economy and cultural exchanges, according to the Prime Minister, serves as the foundation for a sustained, stable and healthy development of their ties. 

 

 Norway and China are now restarting their talks on free trade agreement, Solberg disclosed when talking about economic relationship. The agreement will boost two-way trade and investment, create more job positions and as a result benefit the two countries and their peoples, she further explained. 

 

 She said that a large economic and trade team was included in her delegation as well, and the members plan to seek more cooperation potential through a close contact with business circles in Shanghai and Beijing. 

 

 Arctic affairs, oceans, innovation as well as maritime agendas are expected to be key fields where both countries will intensify cooperation, Solberg pointed out. 

 

 Praising bilateral cooperation on arctic affairs as promising, she said that her country is happy to see China's accession to the Arctic Council as an observer, and the polar route will be a shortcut linking Norway and China on the sea. 

 

 The Prime Minister also suggested a bolstered collaboration in utilization of marine resources and treatment on sea pollution. Both countries can also tap cooperation potential in innovation as their colleges and universities have launched some mutually needed cooperation projects in this regard, she added. 

 

 Solberg recalled her Chinese visit decade ago, during which she watched a drama adapted from the writings of Henrik Johan Ibsen, a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright. 

 

 The performance was given by Chinese and Norwegian actors, and the heroine was also from Bergen, Solberg’s hometown. 

 

 Impressed by the show, she was touched by not only the organic combination of Chinese and Norwegian culture, but also the composer’s deep understanding of the two cultures. 

 

 People-to-people exchanges play a key part in bilateral relations, the Prime Minister said, suggesting an enhanced personnel exchange on winter sports. She continued that much more Chinese tourists are now traveling to Norway, especially in winter. 

 

 Norway, as the host of 1994 Winter Olympics as well as a traditional winter sport power, has accumulated a lot of experience in hosting winter games, and both countries, therefore, can beef up collaboration on preparation for winter games as well training of young players, Solberg suggested. 

 

 She also hailed the keynote speech given by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the World Economic Forum held in Davos this January, saying that it is a timely speech amidst the rising tide of trade protectionism. 

 

 China’s support to multilateralism is significant for many small-sized nations, she added. </s> A free trade agreement between China and Norway is expected 'sometime next year' as productive discussions are continuing between the two nations, Norway's top envoy in China said on Oct 9.

'The FTA with China is a priority for Norway,' Geir O. Pedersen, Norwegian ambassador to China, said at a news briefing in Beijing.

Pedersen said Norway 'has the same ambitions as before. We believe it is more important than ever to deepen and develop political dialogue, economic dialogue, exchange of tourists and investment, and have trade (with China)'.

Last month, China and Norway concluded the 12th round of FTA negotiations in Beijing. China is currently discussing signing or upgrading FTAs with 27 countries.

Starting on Oct 11, Norwegian King Harald V and Queen Sonja will make a state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

It will be the couple's first visit to China since China and Norway normalized their diplomatic ties in December 2016. It is also their fourth visit to the country since their first trip in 1985.

'The visit is a political and symbolic expression of the deepening relationship between China and Norway,' Pedersen said.

Besides Beijing, the couple's 10-day trip also will take them to Dunhuang, Gansu province; Shanghai; and Changshu and Suzhou in Jiangsu province.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Oct 9 that China considers the visit an important opportunity that will help China and Norway deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, thus advancing their relationship.

Joining the king and queen is a Norwegian business delegation of 340 people representing 140 companies.

'It will be the largest business delegation ever from Norway to China,' said Knut Sorlie, the embassy's commercial counsellor. </s> China ‘s veterinary authorities will come to Norway after Easter to consider reopening of Norwegian salmon imports.

The Ministry of Industry and Fisheries that Minister for Fisheries, Per Sandberg, and Minister for the Chinese food safety authority will meet in Oslo over Easter. Last week representatives from Norway and Chinese food safety authorities met in Beijing, Dagens Næringsliv confirms.

– Hopefully, a lot of challenges regarding market access in China to be resolved before the summer. Our work is to restore the confidence in Norwegian salmon, fisheries envoy representing the Norwegian Sea food concil (Sjømatsrådet) in China, Sigmund Bjørgo said.

Before 2010, Norway had a 90 per cent market share of imports of fresh salmon to China. Today, the figure is down to one and three percent. A report says that salmon exports now can rise to between NOK two and three billion a year, a tenfold increase from the current levels.

– The demand is enormous. It is about facilitating exports to China so they may take place without delay, Sandberg says.

Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende and Minister of Industry, Monica Mæland are on an official visit to China this week. The visit comes after relations between Norway and China were normalized in December of last year. </s> President Donald Trump is holding a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg at the White House. The two leaders are taking reporters’ questions.

Their meeting touches on the topics of NATO defense, global security and trade. The meeting is taking place as President Trump is trying to work with Congress on issues of immigration and border security.

The Western European relationship with Russia is also important to Norway, and new developments in the investigation of the Trump campaign’s Russia connections may also figure in the conversation.
Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg meets with Premier of the People's Republic of China Li Keqiang in Beijing to announce the end of a diplomatic freeze between the countries and the resumption of free trade negotiations between China and Norway.