Oslo, December 7th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Siv Jensen, Leader of the Progress Party (FrP) and Minister of Finance of Norway.

Song expressed that China attaches great importance to China-Norway relations and is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges, expand friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields, conclude negotiations on bilateral free trade agreement as soon as possible, and jointly send a positive signal that China and Norway promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and oppose protectionism. China and Norway share similar positions and shared vision in maintaining multilateralism, promoting sustainable development and building an open world economy. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Norway in international and regional affairs to jointly address global challenges. The CPC attaches importance to exchanges and cooperation with the FrP, and is willing to enhance exchange of experience in state governance and administration, and promote national relations.

Jensen expressed that the Norwegian government attaches great importance to Norway-China relations and respects China's core interests and major concerns. Norway and China share common interests in upholding free trade and opposing protectionism. Norway is willing to speed up negotiations on bilateral free trade agreement with China and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, tourism, maritime affairs and sports. The FrP is willing to carry out exchanges and cooperation with the CPC in various forms, and learn from each other to benefit the two peoples.

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