Dear friends from China and Norway

"If Antarctica were music it would be Mozart. Art, and it would be Michelangelo. Literature, and it would be Shakespeare. And yet it is something even greater; the only place on earth that is still as it should be. May we never tame it."

These words by the Australian actor Andrew Denton captures man’s fascination for the beauty of the polar regions, unaffected by human beings. Even if you would not compare Antarctica or the Arctic to pieces of art, I am sure that you, like me, share the curiosity about and the wish to preserve the polar regions. 

The international interest in the polar regions is growing, not least as a result of the increased interest in climate issues. Research is essential both in understanding the causes of climate change and its effects, and in finding solutions. Since climate change is a challenge which must be seen in a global perspective, international research cooperation is vital to ensure the best possible knowledge base.  

In this respect, we are pleased to see China’s increasing interest in and commitment to Arctic issues, not least Arctic research. Your country, like my country, has research environments in the international scientific forefront within the field of polar research, and we note that you are stepping up Arctic research.  

Polar research is a common priority to both China and Norway – and it is a priority area under the bilateral agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between our countries. As I elaborated upon at the seminar this morning, cooperation within this field is already strong, and several institutions are involved in both countries, as the ongoing EXPO seminar shows us. I trust that your country’s commitment to the Arctic will lead to an even stronger Sino-Norwegian scientific cooperation in the Arctic and on Arctic issues. 

It is a particular pleasure for me to visit the Polar Research Institute of China again. I was here almost two years ago, and I am not the only Norwegian Minister who has been here. This is a sign of the strong ties between the Polar Research Institute of China and institutions in my country. But it is also a sign that we see this cooperation as very important – in following up our bilateral agreement, in further developing Svalbard as an international research platform through the SIOS project (Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System), and in producing knowledge of great importance to our common future. 

In a moment, the Polar Research Institute of China and the Norwegian Polar Institute will sign a new Memorandum of Understanding, thereby underscoring their wish to further develop their cooperation. I trust that the MoU will lead to a continued active and fruitful cooperation, and wish you all the best.

Thank you for your attention.