One of of China's most powerful politicians on a visit to Norway

He Guoqiang is in Norway. He is one of nine members of the standing committee of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo. He Guoqiang arrived in Norway with a delegation of over one hundred people, of whom about half are from the Chinese business community.

In connection with the visit, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Innovation Norway together with the Ministry of Commerce in China arranged a business seminar Friday 11 June on the Norwegian-Chinese economic relations.

- Work on a trade agreement between Norway and China was high on the agenda when I met with He Guoqiang in Oslo. We had good conversations, Minister of Trade and Industry Trond Giske said..

In connection with the seminar, there was a signing ceremony where a number of Norwegian-Chinese agreements were signed. Norway and China signed an agreement that regulates the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, The Foreign Ministry also signed an agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on reducing mercury pollution. In addition, five private companies signed agreements today: Statoil, Orkla, DnB NOR, Music Export Norway and Fono.

- I find it gratifying that the Chinese and Norwegian companies strengthen their cooperation. The agreements signed today show the width of the Norwegian-Chinese cooperation. These are agreements in various areas such as finance, culture, petroleum, renewable energy and the environment, Giske said.

Mr. Trond Giske  will also host a dinner for the Chinese delegation today, and will follow the delegation to Bergen on Saturday.

Photos from the seminar – free to use - can be downloaded from NHD’s account on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nhd-info/sets/72157624126441819/.