Your Excellency Mr. Even Tronstad Sagebakken, State Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries,
Your Excellency Lieutenant General Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde, Chief of the Defence Staff,
Mr. Svein Erik Indbjo, Deputy County Mayor of Rogaland County,
Dear Ambassadors,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,

It is my great pleasure to gather with you today to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Norway, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all of you! I’d also like to express my sincere appreciation to friends from all sectors who have long cared about and supported China-Norway relations.

Over the past 76 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have been steadfast in advancing Chinese modernization, aiming to build a great modern country and achieve national rejuvenation in all respects. This is a path that will open up new opportunities for countries around the world.

China is committed to promoting an open world economy through cooperation. We have continuously provided key momentum for global economic recovery and growth with our high-quality development and high-standard opening up. For many years, China has contributed around 30% of global economic growth. Despite external pressures such as the tariff war, China’s economy shows strong resilience. We are confident in achieving our annual growth target of around 5%. In the first half of this year, over 30,000 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in China, representing an increase of 11.7%. This is a demonstration of continued international confidence in China’s economic prospects.

China is committed to promoting global green development through innovation. We have the world’s largest scientific R&D workforce. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, China now ranks 10th in the Global Innovation Index, and has topped the world in patent applications for five consecutive years. China contributes to one-quarter of the world’s new green spaces and has built the world’s largest and most comprehensive new energy industry chain. China has reduced the per kilowatt cost of wind and solar energy by 60% and 80% respectively, making green technology more accessible, especially in the Global South.

China is committed to promoting international fairness and justice through responsible actions. In 1945, the Chinese representative was the first to sign the UN Charter. For 80 years, China has firmly supported the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. Through concrete actions, China has become a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. In the face of changes unseen in a century, and the resurgence of Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and protectionism, China proposed the Global Governance Initiative. Together with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, China is dedicated to joining hands with nations around the world to build a fair and equitable global governance system, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Dear friends and guests,

Despite global uncertainties and turbulence, friendly cooperation remains the cornerstone of China-Norway relations. Our two countries are partners with complementary strengths. The practical cooperation has continued to yield fruitful results. Over the past year, bilateral trade increased by over 10%. In the first half of this year, Norway’s seafood exports to China rose by 35%, making China the third-largest seafood market for Norway. Maritime cooperation has also deepened. This year, more than 60 Chinese companies participated in the Nor-shipping, and Norway is invited to be the Guest Country of Honor at the Marintec China 2025 in December. China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for Norwegian citizens, and the re-opening of direct flights between our countries further enhanced people-to-people exchanges.

Our two countries are advocates of green transition. During Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s visit to China last year, the two countries launched the Green Transition Dialogue, the first such mechanism between China and a Nordic country. Under this framework, we signed MOUs on sustainable ocean management and low-carbon development. China manufactured the world’s first liquefied CO₂ carrier, which facilitated Norway’s “Longship” carbon capture and storage project. In the meantime, a low-carbon drilling platform, jointly developed by China and Norway, is now in operation off the coast of Brazil.

Our two countries are also firm supporters of multilateralism. We both actively uphold the international system with the UN at its core and have jointly promoted WTO dispute settlement reform, safeguarded the rules-based multilateral trading system, and openly opposed unilateralism and protectionism. Together, we have made significant progress in addressing climate change, biodiversity protection and marine plastic pollution, fulfilling our international commitments with concrete actions.

Dear friends and guests,

Earlier this month, China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China. The return of Taiwan was a major outcome of the victory in World War II and an integral part of the post-war international order. The historical and legal facts that Taiwan belongs to China are indisputable. Although the days of war are far behind us, the echo of history has never faded away. While Peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit have become the prevailing trends of our times, new threats and challenges continue to emerge, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation.

China has always believed that the future of humanity is closely interconnected. Only by treating each other as equals, coexisting in peace and supporting each other, can we prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies. No matter how the international landscape evolves, China will always remain a driving force for peace, stability, and progress. We look forward to working with all countries for a more just and equitable global governance system and advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity.

Finally, I would like to propose a toast:

To the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,

To the enduring friendship between China and Norway,

And to peace and stability around the world — cheers! Skål!