BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg will pay an official visit to China from April 7 to 11 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced Friday.
"We attach importance to Solberg's visit to China," Lu said, noting that she will meet and hold talks with Chinese leaders and they will exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.
Norway was among the first Western countries to have recognized the People's Republic of China, Lu said, adding that China and Norway have traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation.
China and Norway issued a statement in December last year on the normalization of ties.
At present, bilateral ties face new opportunities, and Solberg's visit will enhance political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and promote healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, Lu said.
When asked to comment on whether China and Norway will resume their dialogue on human rights issues, Lu said China has never objected to the dialogue and it is China's long-standing position to carry out dialogue on human rights issues on the basis of equality and mutual respect to promote international human rights causes.
China firmly opposes any country's attempt to interfere in others' domestic affairs in the name of human rights issues, Lu said.
As long as China and Norway adhere to the basis of mutual respect, there is no obstacle to holding human rights dialogue, Lu said.
It was reported that during Solberg's visit next week, negotiations on a free trade arrangement will be resumed. Lu said reaching consensus on the free trade arrangement as soon as possible will benefit the companies and consumers of both countries.
"If there is good news, I will tell you," he told the reporters.
