国内英语新闻:Chinese vice president calls for expanding Sino-Swedish cooperation to new areas

STOCKHOLM, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping called on Monday for expanding Sino-Swedish cooperation to new areas when he held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Xi said that relations between China and Sweden have maintained a good momentum of development with frequent exchange of visits at high levels, and close and active cooperation in trade and investment, environment protection, education, science and technology, culture and other fields.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in Stockholm, Sweden, March 29, 2010

He said that his current visit to Sweden is meant to jointly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the two countries' establishment of diplomatic relations, with a view of further promoting practical cooperation between China and Sweden.

To expand the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, Xi said, both sides should strengthen dialogue at high levels, deepen trade and economic ties and increase people-to- people contact.

He said that China welcomes Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of China and Sweden establishing diplomatic ties when the king visits the Shanghai EXPO, which is slated to open on May 1.

The Chinese side is willing to use the existing channels of dialogue to enhance mutual political trust and exchange views with the Swedish side on bilateral relations, international political and economic situations, the climate change, non-traditional security matters and other major world and regional issues, Xi said.

Sweden has for long been pursuing the one-China police and has always supported China on issues related with Tibet and Taiwan, he said, China appreciates it and hopes Sweden will continue with it.

Sino-Swedish cooperation can expand from the traditional areas of machinery building, car manufacturing, telecommunications, forest industry, household electric appliance and textiles to the new fields of eco-city construction, energy-saving and environment- protecting technology, biology research and banking, Xi said.

China will renew the agreement on cultural exchange with Sweden, continue to support Chinese language teaching in Sweden and Confucius Institute improvement projects, encourage young people from both sides to participate more in exchange programs and increase the number of scholarships and government grants to students, the Chinese vice president said.