Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun paid a working visit to Norway on December 11, 2009. During the visit, Vice Minister Zhang met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Trade and Industry Minister Trond Giske,and also held talks with Ms. Gry Larsen, State Secretary of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.

Vice Minister Zhang said that this year marked the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Norway. During the past 55 years and especially in recent years, the two countries have witnessed a sound development in their bilateral relations with frequent high-level visits, close personnel exchanges,and fruitful economic and trade cooperations. China attached great importance to the relations with Norway, and would like to make concerted efforts with the Norwegian side to forward their bilateral relations to a new level by strenghthening continuously exchanges and consultations, promoting political mutual trust, tapping the potentials for more cooperations, deepening the economic and trade ties, increasing cultural exchanges and pushing for in-depth mutual understandings. Vice Minister Zhang also welcomed Norwegian people from all walks of life to come to visit China and attend the World Expo held in Shanghai next year.

Foreign Minsiter Støre of Norway and other Norwegian officials welcomed Vice Minister Zhang for his visit to Norway,and agreed with Vice Minsiter's remarks on the bilateral relations. Minister Store said that the two countries have been witnessing close exchanges in the political, economic and trade, cultural and educational fields, and all-round development has been made in the bilateral relations. China is Norway's important partner for cooperation, and Norway attches great importance to its relations with China. The two countries should continue to deepen cooperation in all areas.

The two sides also exchanged views on the international situation, the world economy and other issues.