OSLO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Norway looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in the maritime industry and other fields, a Norwegian official said on Monday.
Even Tronstad Sagebakken, state secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, told Xinhua on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Norway to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
"China is the leading shipbuilding nation for Norwegian shipowners and a key market for our maritime industry. In short, our countries are closely connected through trade and cooperation in the maritime sector," Sagebakken said, adding that the two sides share a common goal to make the "blue industry" greener.
He said the bilateral maritime partnership is anchored in a 2003 maritime transport agreement and advanced through regular dialogue and industry exchanges. During Nor-Shipping 2025 in early June, the two sides engaged extensively at the China Pavilion and at a China-Norway green cooperation seminar.
Looking ahead, Norway will serve as the guest country of honor at Marintec China in Shanghai on Dec. 2-5, 2025, with a national pavilion led by Norwegian Maritime Exporters.
Sagebakken also pointed to growing seafood ties, welcoming China's approval of imports of live Norwegian snow crab. He said Norway aims to expand seafood exports to China in both volume and variety, while ensuring sustainability.
Last year marked the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Norway and China, highlighted by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store's official visit to China in September.
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