Interview: Swedish PM expects closer cooperation with China in global affairs

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Wednesday that as China plays an increasingly important role in global affairs, Sweden expects "closer cooperation with China in global and UN affairs."

Lofven made the remarks in a written interview with Xinhua on Wednesday just before his official visit to China on Friday and Saturday, during which he is scheduled to participate in the 2015 Bo'ao Forum for Asia in Hainan Province, and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

In addition, Lofven will also participate in a ceremony to mark 65 years of diplomatic relations between China and Sweden, and meet representatives of the Swedish business community in Beijing.

Lofven emphasized his government is "strongly committed" to finding global solutions to the challenges Sweden faces, which include peace and security, poverty eradication, climate change, etc. "Sweden's support for the United Nations remains a cornerstone of our foreign policy," he said.

"China, on the other hand, plays an increasingly important role in global affairs and there is scope for an even closer cooperation between our two countries in global and UN affairs," he added.

Sweden was the first Western country to have established diplomatic relations with China, and this year marks the 65th year of official relations between the two countries.

Lofven said he was "pleased and honored" to visit China as Sweden's prime minister. "The fact that Sweden 65 years ago was the first Western country to establish official diplomatic relations with the new government in China plays an important role in the relationship between our nations," he said.

"Today, the exchange between our countries is more comprehensive than ever and covers many parts of our society. The past years have manifested excellent bilateral relations with a significant number of high level visits in both directions," he added.

"Exchanges are ongoing between our governments, government agencies, universities, institutions, businesses and people-to-people contacts. Bilateral relations cover a wide range of issues including trade and investment, environmental technology and sustainable urban development, etc," Lofven said.

Commenting on bilateral business cooperation, Lofven emphasized China's importance as "Sweden's largest trading partner in Asia," saying 550 Swedish companies are established in China and some 10,000 Swedish companies are doing business with China.

He said he sees "a strong potential for further expansion of our commercial relations," among which he highlighted fields such as environmental and energy technology, life science and transportation in which Sweden are "highly innovative."

"I am pleased to note that there is a continuous expansion of cooperation in many areas of mutual interest that we can further enhance in the years to come," said Lofven. Endit