Political Lens

Premier lauds "icebreakers" for actively promoting Sino-British economic, trade cooperation in letter

Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message on Monday to the "Icebreakers" Chinese New Year Dinner 2024 organized by the 48 Group Club in the United Kingdom to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

Li pointed out that over the years, the group has been actively promoting Sino-British economic and trade cooperation, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to mutual benefit and win-win results and deepening mutual understanding. The historic contributions made by the older generation of friendly people in the UK will always be remembered, he said.

Practice has fully proved that strengthening cooperation between China and the UK not only serves the fundamental interests of both countries, but also benefits global peace and prosperity, the premier said.

He expressed hope that people from all walks of life in both China and the UK will carry on the "icebreaking" spirit, and continue to take active and effective actions to make new contributions to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples and promoting friendly cooperation to achieve a higher-level of mutual benefit and win-win results.

In 1953, a group of British entrepreneurs, led by Jack Perry, embarked on their historic "Icebreaking Mission" to China. The mission led to the establishment of trading relations between the two countries.

Vice-premier calls for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in meeting with Norwegian minister

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Beijing on Tuesday.

Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Norway, Ding called on both sides to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and promote the sustained, sound and steady development of Sino-Norwegian ties.

China is committed to opening up at a higher level and is willing to share with Norway the opportunities of China's large market, Ding said. He also expressed hope that Norway will continue to provide an open, fair, just and nondiscriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.

China is willing to work with Norway to continuously strengthen cooperation in environmental governance, climate change and biodiversity protection, and make greater contributions to global green and sustainable development, he added.

Eide said that Norway speaks highly of China's important role in global governance, and looks forward to enhancing bilateral exchanges at all levels and pushing for new achievements in cooperation in various fields.

China willing to work with Switzerland to promote development of a more just global governance system

Vice-President Han Zheng met with Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Beijing on Tuesday.

Han said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China and Switzerland established an innovative strategic partnership, becoming a model of friendly cooperation between nations with different social systems, at different development stages, and of different sizes.

Noting that next year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Han called on both sides to carry on the fine tradition of friendly cooperation, adhere to mutual respect, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, in order to continuously enhance bilateral ties.

China is willing to work with Switzerland to promote the development of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, Han added.

Cassis said that Switzerland has always attached great importance to the development of its relations with China, and is willing to actively conduct exchanges at all levels and deepen practical cooperation in various fields to push bilateral relations to a new level.