On March 29, 2023, Ambassador Hou Yue attended the Norwegian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (NCCC) members’ meeting and delivered a keynote speech. Mr. Lars Andersen, NCCC Chairman of the Board, Mr. Pan Zejun, Minister Counsellor , Mr. Chen Wenlin, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Norway, and 80 NCCC members also attended the meeting.
Ambassador Hou said, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in last October made a comprehensive, systematic and strategic plan for China's economic and social development in the next five years and beyond, and that is to advance the rejuvenation of the China on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. This has also been the common aspiration of the Chinese people since modern times. Two weeks ago, the annual “Two Session” successfully concluded and elected the new leadership of state institutions, set the GDP growth target at around 5%, and drew further details of the Chinese path to modernization. China will continue to comprehensively deepen reform, expand high-level opening-up, and promote open, inclusive, green, sustainable, innovation-led, peaceful and cooperative high-quality development.
Ambassador Hou emphasized that the world today is far from tranquil. In the face of crisis, only by working together can we turn the situation around. 10 years ago, President Xi Jinping made the proposal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and subsequently put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, provided Chinese solutions for addressing the development deficit, security deficit and confidence crisis, pointed out the direction for human civilization. China will maintain the continuity of policies and the stability of development, and will be ready to work with the international community to address these challenges, practice true multilateralism and promote global development and prosperity.
Ambassador Hou added that the economies of China and Norway are highly complementary and have huge potential to cooperate. We share broad common interests in green transition, sustainable development and common prosperity, and share common values in safeguarding an open free trade system and a fair and just international order. China-Norway relations have maintained sound and steady development in recent years, we have become partners beyond the differences of political systems, in win-win cooperation and in upholding multilateralism. Economic and trade exchanges are an important pillar of China-Norway pragmatic cooperation. As the pandemic prevention and control policies had been optimized, China welcomes friends from the Norwegian business community to visit and invest in China to share development opportunities. The Chinese Embassy will continue to provide quality services and support, work together to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and foster a better future for China-Norway relations.
Ambassador Hou also answered questions of NCCC members’ concern, such as China-US relations and the Ukraine crisis.
Participants of the meeting expressed that through Ambassador Hou's introduction, they had a deeper understanding of the current situation, opportunities and historical logic of China's development. Under the difficult situation of international turmoil and increasing downward pressure of global economy, China's steady and predictable policies and sound development momentum have brought hope to everyone. Investing in China is investing in the future, they will stand committed to the Chinese market, promote cooperation and make new contributions to deepening bilateral relations and enhancing friendship between the two peoples.
