China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has completed the first three stops of his Nordic tour, which runs from July 2 to 8 and includes Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.
The tour began in Copenhagen on July 2 before continuing to Stockholm and Helsinki. Norway is the final stop, with Wang scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on July 8.
The visit marks the first trip by a Chinese foreign minister to Sweden in 22 years and the first to Denmark in 15 years.
Attempt to influence EU
The tour comes at a sensitive time for China-EU relations, according to Swedish analyst Björn Jerdén, head of the Swedish National Knowledge Centre on China.
Jerdén told Swedish news agency TT that Beijing is seeking to persuade both the EU and individual member states not to impose further trade measures on Chinese exports, as the bloc considers additional restrictions that could escalate into a trade conflict.
Talks in Denmark
In Copenhagen, Wang met Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
The two discussed expanding trade and investment. They also discussed launching a new version of the countries’ green cooperation programme and strengthening cooperation in research, innovation, green shipping and healthcare, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.
Rasmussen reaffirmed Denmark’s one-China policy, under which Denmark recognises Beijing as China’s government and does not recognise Taiwan as a separate state, according to Xinhua.
He also said Denmark wanted to continue dialogue with China while expanding cooperation in trade, culture, health and education.
During his visit, Wang also met Danish King Frederik X at Amalienborg Palace on July 3.
Meetings in Sweden
The following day in Stockholm, Wang met Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
According to Xinhua, the meeting focused on scientific and technological innovation, green transition, the circular economy and artificial intelligence.
Wang also met Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. According to Xinhua, Kristersson reaffirmed Sweden’s one-China policy and said Sweden was willing to strengthen dialogue and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with China.
Wang later met Jacob Wallenberg, chairman of Swedish investment company Investor AB.
During the meeting, Wang encouraged the Swedish business community to deepen cooperation with China, while Wallenberg said continued cooperation with China was important for both Sweden and Europe and reaffirmed the family’s commitment to investing in the Chinese market, according to CGTN.
Cooperation in Finland
Wang then travelled to Finland, where he met Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen in Helsinki on July 5.
The two discussed expanding trade and investment and increasing cooperation in green transition, scientific and technological innovation and artificial intelligence, Xinhua reported.
China Daily reported that Valtonen said Finland was willing to strengthen cooperation with China in green and low-carbon development, healthcare, the digital economy and climate change.
Later the same day, Wang met Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Turku.
Stubb said Finland looked forward to expanding cooperation with China in areas including the green economy and artificial intelligence, while also strengthening coordination on global challenges.
Wang’s Nordic tour will conclude in Norway on July 8, where he is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Sources: Xinhua, China Daily, TT and CGTN
