Daily Times

OSLO/BEIJING: China and Norway decided to normalize their relations after six frozen years, ushering in a new era for the development of bilateral ties.

The thaw of relations, as many observers expected, would inject new impetus into bilateral practical cooperation and global trade in general, as the two sides have agreed to resume free trade negotiations and to promote trade and investment.

Commenting on the normalization of ties with China, Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Monday that opportunities are opening up for her country’s cooperation with China.

“On the basis of a joint declaration we establish, from today, a full normalization of our political and diplomatic relations with China,” Solberg said in a speech to the Storting, Norway’s national parliament.

“Norway has had no political contact with China since 2010. This has been challenging for us in many international contexts and in many individual cases. It has also been challenging for Norwegian industry,” she said.

China-Norway relations deteriorated since the Oslo-based Nobel Committee conferred the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize on convicted Chinese criminal Liu Xiaobo. Liu was sentenced to 11 years in jail on Dec. 25, 2009, after a court in Beijing convicted him of engaging in activities designed to overthrow the government.

“The fact that we now have been able to normalize our relationship is the result of a long and painstaking diplomatic work at many levels to restore confidence between our two countries,” Solberg said in the speech.

The Norwegian prime minister noted that the two countries have a long common history and Norway was one of the first countries that recognized the People’s Republic of China. “We have built a broad and close cooperation in almost all areas for more than 50 years,” she said.

“We now look forward, on the opportunities that are opening up for cooperation with China. China is the world’s second largest economy and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It is important for us to have a cooperation on many international issues that we are concerned about. From climate and sustainability goals to many other topics on the international agenda,” Solberg said.

According to the statement issued in Beijing earlier on Monday, the Norwegian government reiterates its commitment to the one-China policy, fully respects China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and attaches high importance to China’s core interests and major concerns.

“China and Norway recognize that our two countries share broad common interests and have great potential for increased cooperation in many important fields,” the statement said.

In his meeting with visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende on Monday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the two countries’ foreign ministers had candid and in-depth talks, and reached an agreement on the normalization of bilateral ties.

China hopes to work together with Norway to open a new chapter in bilateral ties, and push forward a sustained, healthy and stable relationship, Li said.

China appreciates the new Norwegian government’s adherence to the one-China policy and its wish to improve and develop ties with China, said the premier.

The two economies are highly compatible, Li said, adding China is ready to negotiate with Norway on an FTA, to send out a clear signal of trade and investment liberalization.

Brende, in his turn, said the normalization of relations is of historic significance, and has sent a positive message to the international community.

Norway hopes to take the opportunity of normalization of ties with China to enhance high-level exchanges, boost bilateral FTA negotiation and expand win-win cooperation in such areas as investment, hydropower, and offshore oil and gas exploitation, Brende said.

“The new Norwegian government does not want to bear the burden of history. It took a more pragmatic approach and was eager to improve relations with China,” said Cui Hongjian, director of the department of European studies at the China Institute of International Studies.