China–Sweden relations

China–Sweden relations

China
Sweden

China–Sweden relations are the bilateral relations between China and the Kingdom of Sweden. Sweden was the first Western country to establish official diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, on 9 May 1950.[1][2]

History

Sweden's and China's ties goes back to the 17th century.[3] Sweden traded with China and this was recorded by Nils Matsson Kiöping. He visited southern China on the ship Götheborg in 1654 and wrote accounts of his journeys to China upon his return to Sweden.[3] The Swedish East India Company traded with China 1731-1813.

Sweden was the first Western country to establish official diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.[1][2] Diplomatic relations between the People's Republic and the Kingdom were formally established on 9 May 1950.[1] Sweden has always supported the return of China's legitimate seat in the United Nations.[2]

A modern replica of the ship Götheborg was constructed and departed from Göteborg, Sweden, in 2005. The ship reached Shanghai, China, in 2006. The ship was welcomed in Shanghai by King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia of Sweden who made an official visit to China that year.[2] The vessel returned to Göteborg on 9 June 2007, and was welcomed by the president of China, Hu Jintao, who visited Sweden mainly for this reason, and by the King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

The year 2010 marked the 60th anniversary of Chinese-Swedish diplomatic relations.[4][5] The celebrations drew attention in China, as Sweden had been the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the country. This resulted in the creation of the Nordic Confucius Institute in Sweden to further promote and develop Sino-Swedish relationships.

Bilateral relations

In 2006 the trade value between the two countries added up to 6.73 billion U.S. dollars. Sweden has become China's ninth-largest trading partner in the European Union and China has been Sweden's largest trade partner in Asia for four consecutive years.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-05/07/content_9819770.htm
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-06/11/content_891453.htm
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7001074.html
  4. ↑ http://www.enghunan.gov.cn/Text_News/201005/t20100527_212420.htm
  5. ↑ Swedish PM Hails 60 Years of Establishment of China-Sweden Diplomatic Relations

External links