Swedish Parliament Speaker Per Westerberg (L) meets with visiting Vice Chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee Hua Jianmin in Stockholm, Sweden, June 2, 2010. (Xinhua/Wu Ping)
STOCKHOLM, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese legislator on Wednesday met Swedish parliament speaker Per Westerberg to discuss ways to boost parliamentary exchanges and ties between the two countries.
Hua Jianmin, vice chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said parliamentary exchanges serve as an important part of diplomatic relations between China and Sweden.
He said parliamentary exchanges have provided the legal guarantee and foundation for people-to-people understanding and friendship, and are conducive to bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
He said this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sweden, which have developed in depth in recent years. Sweden was the first Western country that established diplomatic relations with New China.
Westerberg said Sweden and China have enjoyed very close relations.
Sweden commends China's extraordinary achievements in economic and social development, and the achievements not only benefit the Chinese people but the world, said Westerberg.
Sweden always advocates free trade and welcomes Chinese investors to invest in Sweden, he said.
He said Sweden's parliament also hopes to have more exchanges with China's NPC at various levels in various forms so as to improve mutual understanding and contribute to deepening bilateral relations.