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Wang Yi Meets with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: October 16, 2025 23:40

On October 16, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

Wang Yi stated that Sweden is an important country in the European Union (EU) and was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. In recent years, bilateral relations have encountered some setbacks, requiring face-to-face exchanges and rebuilding of mutual trust. Although China and Sweden differ in history, culture, and social systems, the development process over the past 75 years has shown that as long as both sides respect each other, treat each other as equals, and seek common ground while reserving differences, they can achieve mutual benefit and shared success. The two sides should see each other as partners rather than rivals and adhere to the principle that cooperation outweighs differences. Wang Yi expressed hope that Sweden will view and develop China-Sweden relations from an independent strategic and long-term perspective.

Wang Yi noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sweden. President Xi Jinping and King Carl XVI Gustaf exchanged congratulatory messages, agreeing to deepen practical cooperation between the two countries and continuously advance bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Sweden to earnestly implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state, make a good use of mechanisms for dialogue in the economic and trade sectors, expand practical cooperation in trade and investment, scientific and technological innovation, life and health, digital economy, and green development, and deepen communication and coordination on multilateral issues such as climate change, so as to guide bilateral relations back onto the correct track and ensure their sound and stable development. To encourage and support more Swedish people to visit China and gain a genuine understanding of the country, China is ready to implement a visa-free policy for Sweden and further promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Sweden will play a constructive role in promoting the sound development of China-EU relations.

Maria Malmer Stenergard said that she is pleased to be the first Swedish foreign minister to visit China in 16 years. Sweden, as the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, recognized 75 years ago that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Sweden attaches great importance to its relations with China and adheres to the one-China policy. Sweden is willing to strengthen dialogue with China in the spirit of mutual respect, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and properly handle differences. Over the past 75 years, Sweden-China relations have achieved positive results, and the potential for future cooperation is enormous with broad prospects. Sweden is willing to work with China to build a mutually beneficial and balanced economic and trade relationship, strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, scientific and technological innovation, and green transition, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, and people-to-people areas. Maria Malmer Stenergard appreciated China's visa-free policy for Sweden and expressed the belief that the policy will effectively encourage more Swedish citizens to visit China and deepen their understanding of the country. Sweden values China's important role in international affairs, congratulated China on the successful hosting of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, and commended China for announcing a new round of nationally determined contributions on climate change. Sweden firmly supports an open and free trade system and the strengthening of dialogue and cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional issues.