President Xi emphasizes mutual respect in ties with Sweden

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2015. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Sweden should strengthen political guidance and input on bilateral links by respecting each other's core interests and major concern.[Special coverage]

Xi made the remark as he met here Saturday with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who is in Boao to attend the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia .

Xi said that Lofven's China visit is his first trip to Asia since assuming office as Swedish Prime Minister. This reflects the importance that Lofven and Sweden attach to relations with China.

Xi said Sweden is the first Western country that established official relations with the new China. Since the two countries set up diplomatic links 65 years ago, bilateral relations have grow from tiny to big and from weak to strong and achieved remarkable results.

Xi emphasized that in the next step, the two sides should strengthen political guidance, respect each other's core interests and major concern.

He said the two sides should increase top-level plan of and political input into bilateral relations by maintaining the momentum of high-level contact and expanding common ground.

Xi said the two countries should strengthen cooperative partnership in the areas of sustainable growth, industrial upgrading, innovation and green economy on the basis of existing cooperation on information and telecommunication technology, upper-end manufacturing, energy efficiency, environment protection and new energy.

Xi said the two countries should strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges and set up platforms for exchanges between the youth. He expressed the hope that the Swedish side will provide convenience on visa issuing for Chinese citizens who visit Sweden for business or vacation.

He called on the two countries to step up communication and coordination on the post-2015 UN development agenda, climate changes and global health security.

Lofven thanked Xi for inviting him to attend the Boao Forum for Asia, saying Xi's speech at the opening ceremony pointed out the future route of Asian cooperation and is of great significance for Sweden and Europe.

Lofven said the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) initiative that Xi put forward is very important. He said Sweden is highly interested in the AIIB initiative and wishes to carry out cooperation with China on it.

He said bilateral trade and economic ties are growing smoothly as China's investment in Sweden increases. He expressed the wish to carry out cooperation with China on clean and efficient transport, research, innovation and green growth.

Lofven said Sweden actively engages in international affairs and places importance on China's role. He expressed the readiness to strengthen communication and coordination with China within the framework of the United Nations.