Collaboration between China and Sweden highlighted as an example

China and Sweden are poised to deepen economic and trade cooperation as both sides reaffirm their commitment to mutual respect, innovation-driven collaboration and green transformation.

With this year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, officials and enterprises from both countries are embracing new opportunities for pragmatic and high-quality development.

At the "Invest in China" roundtable for Swedish enterprises held in Stockholm, Sweden, in March, Ling Ji, vice-minister of commerce and China's deputy international trade representative, highlighted the long-standing relationship between China and Sweden.

He noted that "the ancient Maritime Silk Road once closely connected our peoples". Ling also emphasized that in the decades since diplomatic relations were established, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results.

"As we move forward, we should remain true to the original aspiration of mutual respect and equality," Ling said. "We must fully tap the potential for cooperation in science and innovation, seize the opportunities of green transformation, and make sustainability the foundation of our cooperation. Together, we can write a new chapter in China-Sweden trade relations," he said.

According to Ling, China's economy maintains a long-term positive outlook and the country is unwavering in its commitment to high-level opening-up.

He also urged China and Sweden — as well as China and the broader European Union — to continue defending multilateralism and free trade to inject vitality into the building of an open global economy.

Swedish business leaders echoed Ling's remarks, expressing optimism about China's economic trajectory and their enthusiasm for expanding investment.

Jan Larsson, president and CEO of Business Sweden, and Ulf Pehrsson, chairman of the Sweden China Trade Council, both underscored that Swedish companies view China not only as one of their most important markets and production bases, but as an increasingly vital hub for research and development.

They emphasized Sweden's support for free trade and expressed the country's willingness to help bring Swedish ideas, technologies, and green solutions into the Chinese market. Meanwhile, it welcomes greater investment from Chinese enterprises in Sweden.

An example of this engagement is Swedish engineering group SKF's expansion. In late April, the signing ceremony for its Asia-Pacific automotive headquarters project was held in Jiading, Shanghai.

Kerstin Enochsson, president of SKF's automotive division, remarked that the investment is a "long-term strategic decision", emphasizing China's dual role as a major market and an innovation center.

Enochsson said that Shanghai's Jiading district, with its world-class automotive clusters and solid industrial foundation, provides an ideal environment for SKF to enhance its R&D efforts and create more job opportunities in the region.

Founded in 1907, SKF is a global leader in bearings and motion technologies, with operations in more than 130 countries. In China, the company maintains its regional headquarters and a global technology center in Shanghai; nine production bases; and more than 150 authorized partners. Its products serve more than 40 sectors, including automobiles, wind power and rail transport.

Green development has also emerged as a shared priority. On April 28, Chinese Ambassador to Sweden Cui Aimin visited Swedish marine transport company Rederi AB Gotland. There he praised the company's longstanding collaboration with China and noted the promising opportunities created by China's push for green transformation and the upgrading of its shipbuilding industry.

"China's high-quality development and further opening-up will create more space for international cooperation," Cui said. "We welcome Gotland to deepen its engagement in green shipping and related industries."