Briefly

CHINA

Norwegian PM to pay official visit

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store will pay an official visit to China starting from Monday. During his tour, Store will meet with Chinese leaders to exchange in-depth views on issues of common concern, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday. Norway was one of the first Western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China and this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, she said. China attaches great importance to its relations with Norway and is willing to work along with the country to consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and advance green transformation to promote the continuous, healthy, and stable development of bilateral ties, Mao said.

Vice-president hails Sino-Russian relations

Vice-President Han Zheng said China has full confidence in the prospects for cooperation with Russia during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on Wednesday. Han said China is ready to support and participate in the cooperation for the development of Russia's Far East region and to promote common development and revitalization. Putin welcomed Han to the 9th Eastern Economic Forum. Noting the two countries currently enjoy the best relations in history, Putin said Russia attaches great importance to cooperation with China.

UNITED STATES

House committee subpoenas Blinken

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee subpoenaed Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, saying he had refused to appear before the panel to testify on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. In a letter, Chairman Michael McCaul said Blinken must appear before the committee on Sept 19 or face contempt charges, the committee said.

China Daily - Agencies