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Xinjiang Photo Exhibition held in China Cultural Center in Stockholm

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By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 24(Greenpost) — As part of the China’s Landscape in Swedish Eyes photo exhibition, Xinjiang photo exhibition has been held in China Cultural Center in Stockholm.

Chinese Ambassador Gui Congyou spoke highly of the exhibition.He welcomed Swedish friends to visit China.

Jointly held by Green Post and Kamera & Bild Magazine, China’s Landscape in Swedish Eyes photo exhibition attracted folks from all walks of life.

Xuefei Chen Axelsson, Editor of Green Post has exhibited 30 photos featuring Xinjiang’s China-Europe Express Realignment Center, Grand Bazar, 12 Muqam, Burqin’s colorful strand, Kanas lake and Xinjiang Theatre as well as Gaubao plant that changes Gobi into oasis.  She visited Xinjiang in August as part of a mission to cover the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Eleven Swedish photographers went to Beijing’s Jinshanling Great Wall, Zhangjiajie and Lijiang River in november and brought back great China’s landscape.

The exhibition was welcomed by Swedish people.   Claes Grundsten said their trip to China was comprehensive and satisfactory.

Johan Wessel said it was very nice to have such a joint exhibition so that Swedish and Chinese in Sweden could understand China better and enjoyed the beautiful landscape.

Lena Weilandt said she went to China 30 years ago and it is very good that she could go back to China again 30 years later.

She saw great changes in China where there are a lot of high buildings, but she also saw old China somewhere in the market and street. She is very proud and glad to have such an exhibition and she will share the photo with family members, friends and colleagues.

Many people from other parts of the country to look at the exhibition.

Kitty Larsson came from Värmland to watch the photos. She said China was great and she loved China.

Nicolas Yiming came from Västerås with Swedish friend and was impressed by the Xinjiang photo. He said looking at the photo, he felt Altay sceneries and arkitectures are similar to that of Sweden.

Boel Lindberg, Director of the International Department of Swedish Foreign Ministry who is in charge of international correspondents visited the exhibition.

“It is really very beautiful, I almost like to think of going there to have a visit. You can even make post cards with them.” said Lindberg.

Marianne BJörklund, reporter from DN also visited the exhibition.  She said she was impressed by the beautiful sceneries in Xinjiang and that in Zhangjiajie.

SVD reporter, Chinese communities leaders and many others also came to watch the exhibition.

Many Swedish were impressed by Xinjiang’s sceneries and felt it is similar to that in Sweden.

Through the exhibition, visitors have a better understanding and a good look at China’s beautiful landscape.

The week long exhibition ended on Dec. 22, but it will open again on January 7 till the end of January before the next exhibition begins.

If you have time, you can still come and have a look.

China, Chinese circle

Ambassador Gui Congyou Gives Exclusive Interview with SVD on Xinjiang and the Gui Minhai Case

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STOCKHOLM, Dec. 13(Greenpost) — On 16 November 2018, during an interview with SVD journalist Mikael Törnwall on China-Sweden economic and trade relations, Ambassador Gui Congyou answered questions on Xinjiang and the Gui Minhai case.

Mikael Törnwall asked if he could extend his questions from bilateral investment between China and Sweden to the controversies between the two governments. There are two issues. First is the issue of Chinese Uygurs. Some people in Sweden claim that China uses Uygurs in Sweden as spies. Second is the case of Gui Minhai.

Following is the main points of Ambassador’s comments.

Ambassador Gui said, the interview was originally proposed to be about China-Sweden economic and trade cooperation, but I’m also open to questions beyond this subject. I would take this more as a discussion between friends. The so-called “Chinese Uygur issue” is something deliberately crafted by some people who either lack knowledge of the true situation or look at China through colored spectacles and with prejudice and stereotype. There is a folk song popular among nearly 1.4 billion Chinese people, “the 56 ethnic groups in China are like 56 flowers in a garden, and the 56 brothers and sisters are a big family.” The Uygurs are an equal member of the big Chinese family of 56 ethnic groups. The system of regional ethnic autonomy is implemented in Xinjiang, and the languages and cultures of all ethnic groups living there have been well inherited and developed. Xinjiang, once a backward region, now enjoys rapid economic and social development, thanks to the help of the Central Government and sister provinces. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the border between China and Central Asia was opened up, and the three forces of terrorism, extremism and separatism from abroad madly infiltrated into Xinjiang. These forces recruited innocent young people there, trained them overseas, and then brought them back. Over these years, thousands of violent terrorist attacks, targeted at civilians, have been carried out. The most active of them is the “East Turkistan” terrorist organizations. These forces have also infiltrated into other provinces of China and carried out deadly terrorist attacks. For example, in 2014, “East Turkistan” terrorists stabbed and slashed at innocent people at random in the Kunming Railway Station of Yunnan Province, killing dozens of civilians. The perpetrators had all received terrorist training abroad. Graphics of their violent killing have been made public by the police.

While resolutely countering violent terrorist crimes, China also draws on the experience of other countries and puts an emphasis on preventive measures.

Poverty and ignorance are the root causes of extremism and terrorism.

The preventive measures Xinjiang takes are to bring around people who are influenced by terrorism and extremism and have committed minor offenses when involved in terrorist and extremist activities, and provide them with free vocational training, aiming to help them get rid of terrorist and extremist tendencies, master vocational skills, secure employment and stable incomes, and reintegrate into the society. Relevant measures are warmly welcomed by people of all ethnic groups across Xinjiang and trainees from vocational training institutions. Thanks to these measures, there have been no violent terrorist attacks in Xinjiang for 22 consecutive months.

Now Xinjiang is generally stable. Its economy is enjoying a good development momentum. The various ethnic groups live in harmony, and people’s livelihood is steadily improving. A few years ago when violent terrorist attacks occurred frequently in Xinjiang, no domestic or foreign tourists dared to travel there. With a stable social environment, Xinjiang registered more than 100 million trips by domestic and foreign tourists in 2017, and this record was broken by September this year. Obviously, descriptions of Xinjiang by some people and media in the West are completely incompatible with the real Xinjiang. Some people hype up the so-called “Uygur issue” only out of bad political motives. You are welcome to travel to Xinjiang, to see the actual situation for yourself and enjoy the beautiful scenery there.

On the case of Gui Minhai, I have made extensive exchanges with the Swedish Government, Parliament, media and ordinary people. Some forces, media and people in Sweden exploit this case simply for political reasons. They never talk about what a person Gui Minhai is and what he did. I would like to tell you the truth.

In the 1990s, Gui Minhai came to Sweden to study and got Swedish citizenship. Unlike most other Chinese students studying in Sweden, he was obsessed with making big money. He illegally established a school at the University of Gothenburg and enrolled more than 100 students from China by deception. He promised these students MBA degrees and good living conditions, and tricked each of them to pay him a large sum of money. But the fact is there isn’t any MBA degree in Swedish universities even till today. He put over 20 students in one big room with very poor living conditions. His fraudulent activities cast these students into predicament and eventually led to two of them killing themselves, which shocked the Swedish society. The Swedish education authorities intervened and the University of Gothenburg managed to calm the waters. Relevant documents are still there. SVT broadcast a news report on this on 23 June 1999 and there are also reporting on local media of Gothenburg, which you can refer to if you are interested. Faced with punishment of Swedish law, Gui Minhai fled back to his hometown Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

In Ningbo, he appeared as an “overseas Chinese merchant”, and the angry victims of his fraud reported to the Chinese police, the record of which is readily available for reference. One late night in December 2003, Gui Minhai killed a young college girl while drunk driving in Ningbo and escaped from the scene. The Chinese court handled the case according to law and sentenced Gui Minhai to two years in prison with a two-year reprieve for the crime of causing traffic casualties. To escape from punishment of the law, Gui Minhai used a fake identity to get a passport and fled out of China while still on probation. He was then engaged in illegal activities by smuggling books into China’s mainland and obtained a lot of ill-gotten gains through such criminal acts. In 2015, Gui Minhai returned to China and turned himself in, and the Chinese judicial authorities executed the former sentence of two-year imprisonment according to law. In October 2017, Gui Minhai was released in accordance with law after completing his two-year term for the crime of causing traffic casualties. He chose to stay in Ningbo to keep his old mother company. But during that period he got involved in criminal acts, again, when he illegally collected China’s state secrets and attempted to flee abroad, under the instigation of some forces and people in Sweden. The Chinese police had to take coercive measures against him in accordance with law.

At present, the Chinese judicial authorities are handling this case in accordance with law and legal procedures of China, and Gui Minhai himself has repented. At the same time, the Chinese side fully safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of Gui Minhai, including the right to medical treatment. Some Swedish media claimed that Gui Minhai was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and dying, which is not at all consistent with the facts. At the beginning of this year, the Chinese side arranged medical checkups for Gui Minhai carried out by experts from top hospitals in Shanghai. The diagnosis showed that Gui Minhai only had common cervical spondylosis. But some people in Sweden did not believe it, and proposed to send a Swedish doctor for Gui Minhai. The Chinese side agreed, and a Swedish doctor went to see Gui Minhai in mid-August and agreed with the diagnosis of Chinese doctors. Gui Minhai is in good physical and mental condition.

For such a person who has committed numerous crimes, some Swedish forces, media and people just ignore the facts and keep pressuring China and unreasonably demanding his release. It is a severe interference in China’s judicial sovereignty, serious violation of the spirit of the rule of law, and a display of their ignorance of law. China and Sweden have maintained close communication on the Gui Minhai case. The Chinese side has made clear to the Swedish side the facts of the Gui Minhai case and China’s positions, that is, to deal with the case according to law and legal procedures of China. This is all the truth of the Gui Minhai case.

Source   Chinese Embassy

China, Chinese circle, Exchange, Indepth, News, Opinion, World News

Chinese Ambassador Gui says China pays great attention to China-Europe relations

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STOCKHOLM, Nov. 10(Greenpost)– Chinese Ambassador Gui Congyou said that China attaches great importance to China-Europe relations and he likes to listen to all the participants opinion on how to better improve China-Europe relations.

Ambassador Gui said that this year marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up in China. Reform and opening-up, started 40 years ago, have transformed China from a country shackled by rigid planned economy to a vibrant socialist market economy, and from a closed economy and society to one increasingly interconnected with the world. All the Chinese people benefit from reform and opening-up, as no one will live under the poverty line and all will lead a good life. Global economy benefits from China’s reform and opening-up as China’s economic growth contributes over 30% to global growth. Countries around the world benefit from China’s reform and opening-up because China generates tremendous development opportunities and dividends as it is set to become the world’s largest consumption market.

China’s reform and opening-up also contributes to world peace and security. The fact that China maintains social and political stability and is delivering a better life to nearly 1.4 billion people undoubtedly generates strong impetus to keep the momentum of global and regional security and stability.

Gui said that “some people speculate that China’s development threatens other countries, to which I would like to stress that it is not in the DNA of the Chinese nation to threaten and invade other countries. In the 5000 years of Chinese history, China has never waged a war of conquest against other countries. As a nation that endured over a hundred years of colonial invasion and enslavement by Western powers, we know too well the pain of being occupied and enslaved. As Chinese people often say, “do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.” In the vocabulary of China’s foreign policies, words like “invading other countries” and “seeking hegemony” have no place”. Gui said.

“There are also people saying that China is more assertive, which is a serious misunderstanding and misinterpretation of China’s foreign policies. Over a hundred years of colonial invasion and occupation of China led to the fact that China is still yet to realise complete national reunification. Anti-China separatist forces, such as “Taiwan independence”, “Tibet independence”, “East Turkestan” as well as “Hong Kong independence”, are doing everything to sabotage and hinder the reunification of China. What we must do in response is to firmly uphold national unity and advance the process of national reunification. In other words, we will not let any country, any force, any organization or any individual take away any inch of China’s rightful territory. What we are doing is opposing others to break into our house and rob our things rather than barge into others’ house and rob their things.” said Gui.

Gui said that Sweden is the first Western country to establish diplomatic ties with China. As a major Nordic country and an important member of the EU, Sweden leads the world in innovative, green and sustainable development. Just like China, Sweden is committed to upholding world peace and security, and resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means. These factors set up the foundation and favorable conditions for long-term and steady growth of China-Sweden relations. With high importance attached to its relations with Sweden, China is willing to strengthen dialogue, communication and cooperation in all areas, and work with Sweden to make contributions to world peace, development and security .

It is true that our two countries are different in our political systems and ideologies. But it is exactly these differences that make dialogue, exchanges and cooperation more necessary. Because we are different, we need to improve together by learning from each other. However, we oppose exaggerating or politicising these differences and turning them into obstacles of our relations, rather we hope to work together to turn these differences into highlights and propellers of our relations. To make this happen, we need to treat each other as equals, respect each other, refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs and work together for shared benefits.

Gui said that the 19th CPC National Congress that was successfully convened last October established the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and set the goal to build China into a great modern socialist country by the middle of this century.

To achieve the goal, China will deepen reform, open up wider to all countries and regions of the world, and carry forward with reform and opening-up with utmost resolve and confidence. The first China International Import Expo that is being held represents a major initiative and effort reaffirming China’s determination to open up wider. Like I said at the beginning, China’s reform and opening-up benefits the whole world, and deepened reform and opening-up will only benefit the world even more. We are committed to improving socialist democracy and rule of law, upholding and improving human rights and delivering a better life to all Chinese people. These efforts will bring about greater social and political stability and economic prosperity.

But no matter how much progress China makes in its development, even when China’s GDP per capita reaches the level of Sweden at USD 50,000, China will still stick to a peaceful development path and its peaceful foreign policy, remain committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind rather than interfere in other countries’  internal affairs, invade other countries or seek world dominance. Thousands of years of human history told us one thing, that is any empire that invades, enslaves or occupies other countries will eventually fail and crumble. That is what all of us need to learn and more importantly heed from history.

The Chinese side attaches great importance to developing China-Europe relations. In terms of how, I prefer to hear your thoughts and suggestions, concluded Gui.

Indepth, News, World News

Ambassador Gui Congyou says China to be the world’s largest consumer market by the end of this year

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 On 20 April, Ambassador Gui Congyou gave an exclusive interview at the Embassy with the program Ambassadorial Interview Series of the Swedish Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP). Ambassador Gui answered questions on China-Sweden relations, international trade, China’s foreign policy, China-Europe relations and other topics from Dr. Lars Vargö, distinguished fellow of ISDP and former Swedish Ambassador to Japan and South Korea.

Following is the full text of the interview:

1. Q: China and Sweden have long maintained friendly relations, the basis of which is mainly trade. The continuous development of China presents important opportunities for Sweden. If China’s economic growth slows down, what impact will it have on China-Sweden economic and trade relations ?

Gui Congyou: In recent years, China-Sweden relations have maintained steady development, and practical cooperation in all fields has continued to expand. For many years China has been Sweden’s largest trading partner in Asia and Sweden China’s largest in the Nordic region. Bilateral trade volume reached USD15 billion last year, a year-on-year increase of nearly 20%, while export from Sweden to China grew by 27%. For the first time in 25 years, Sweden has shifted from deficit to surplus in trade with China, which has fully reflected China’s strong demand for premium Swedish products and the great potential in cooperation between the two countries.

In the 40 years since the reform and opening up, China has scored great achievements in economic and social development. Over the past five years since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has unswervingly pursued the vision of innovative, coordinated, green and open development that is for everyone, accelerated the transformation of the growth model, and improved the economic structure. The 19th CPC National Congress held last year emphasized that China’s economy has been transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development. The lowering of China’s economic growth target is for the purpose of transformation and innovation, which leads to improvement in the quality and returns of development. In the first quarter of this year, China’s GDP increased by 6.8% year-on-year, and the national economy has maintained steady performance with a good momentum for growth. The basic role of real economy and consumption in economic development has continued to strengthen. China is expected to surpass the United States as the world’s largest consumer market by the end of this year.

President Xi Jinping has solemnly announced that China will adopt a series of new and major measures to further opening up, including significantly broadening market access, creating a more attractive investment environment, strengthening protection of intellectual property rights, and taking the initiative to expand imports. In order to meet the demand of the vast Chinese consumers for high-quality foreign products, China will hold its first International Import Expo in Shanghai this November. While many other countries have held export expos, few have held an import expo. China holding the Import Expo fully demonstrates that it is dedicated to further opening up and willing to import more products. We look forward to the participation of Swedish companies to bring premium and competitive products to the Chinese market and expand two-way investment, so that China-Sweden trade and investment cooperation will develop towards greater breadth, deeper levels, and higher quality.

2. Q: What should policy makers in China and Sweden do to help defuse friction in global trade? What role can companies play?

Gui Congyou: At this stage of economic globalization, all countries in the world have already been bound together for good or ill. Frictions in trade are natural due to structural differences among different economies. The key is that all countries should uphold the principle of openness and win-win cooperation and resolve disputes through constructive dialogue under the framework of the multilateral trading system. As all WTO members have solemnly pledged, “should any dispute or friction occur, they will not seek unilateral actions that may heighten confrontation but will rather seek remedies through the dispute settlement system, and observe its rules and its rulings.”

Therefore, not only China and Sweden, but all policy makers in the world should stay rational and refrain from politicizing trade issues. Instead, they should act responsibly and bring trade issues back to the multilateral trading system for consultations and resolve them in accordance with business rules through negotiation. Punitive tariffs imposed outside the WTO framework are very likely to lead to a trade war. History has proved and will continue to prove that such a practice will harm both others and self.

To adjust trade imbalances, it is ultimately necessary to use market instruments and allow companies to be the main player. Most of the trade, investment, and technology transfer take place among multinational corporations, therefore they should actively take part in the discussions on global governance and the formulation of global trade rules. At the same time, companies should strengthen their awareness of avoiding trade frictions by taking proactive measures, and be given more play in dealing with trade frictions.

3. Q: At the 19th CPC National Congress, President Xi Jinping outlined the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. What does China’s role as a major country mean to Sweden?

Gui Congyou:The 19th CPC National Congress established the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Its most remarkable highlight in foreign policy is the call for promoting the new form of international relations and championing the development of a community with a shared future for mankind, in the pursuit of major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Since ancient times, the Chinese people have believed in the values of harmony among nations, a world of equality and peace, and brotherhood among peoples. After the founding of the People’s Republic, China initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which have become the basic principles for the development of state-to-state relations that transcend social systems and ideology, and have been accepted by the vast majority of the countries in the world. The report of 19th CPC National Congress emphasized that China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit and uphold its fundamental foreign policy goal of preserving world peace and promoting common development. China remains firm in its commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and to forging a new form of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. China will develop itself in the process of stepping up cooperation with the rest of the world, and benefit the world in the process of being further integrated into the world.

China and Sweden are traditionally friendly countries with no historical dispute or conflict of interests. We share many common topics and interests in areas like maintaining world peace and stability, globalization, free trade and climate change. China’s development means opportunities for Sweden. It is hoped that the Swedish side will seize the historic opportunity to continuously strengthen coordination and cooperation with China, so that we can jointly make more positive contributions to the world on the way toward building a new form of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. As I said to my Swedish friends, cooperation between China and Sweden can produce the effect of one plus one being greater than two.

4. A: Innovative technologies have great significance for both China and Sweden. China aims to become a scientific and technological leader by 2030. Sweden has similar ambitions. Stockholm hopes to become the Silicon Valley of Europe. How can the two sides cooperate to achieve these goals?

Gui Congyou: President Xi Jinping emphasized in the report of 19th CPC National Congress that China must firmly implement the strategies of invigorating China through science and education and innovation-driven development, and set higher targets for future international cooperation in scientific and technological innovation.

Sweden, a world leader in technological innovation, has made important contributions to human scientific progress. The Swedish scientific research community has always been committed to open cooperation. China and Sweden have great potential in scientific and technological innovation cooperation.

The leaders of the two countries reached an important consensus on strengthening China-Sweden scientific and technological innovation cooperation. When he met with Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven in June 2017, President Xi Jinping stressed the importance to associate China’s 13th Five-Year Plan, innovation-driven development strategy, and “Made in China 2025” with Sweden’s “Smart Industry” strategy, to strengthen cooperation in fields such as clean energy, smart cities, life sciences, green finance, high-speed rail and aerospace. This important consensus by the two leaderships has set a clear direction for Chinese-Swedish scientific and technological innovation cooperation.

Last August, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang visited Sweden, and co-chaired with the Minister of Higher Education and Research Helene Hellmark Knutsson the 4th meeting of China-Sweden Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. The two sides agreed to conduct “2+2” cooperation, or joint research projects that involve a scientific research institution and a company from each side. This shows that China-Sweden scientific and technological innovation cooperation is not a one-way flow of technology, but rather joint development of new world-class technologies with the participation of businesses from both countries. In this way, results of joint research can be transformed into productivity more quickly, to better serve economic and social development and enhance the well-being of the two peoples.

5. Q: Sweden is a member of the European Union. The relationship with EU is one of the most important foreign relations for Sweden. The EU is also an important partner of China. How does China look at China-EU relations?

Gui Congyou: The China-EU relationship is one of the most important bilateral relations in the world. It is of strategic significance to both China and Europe and world peace and development. During his first visit to Europe as the Head of State of China in 2014, President Xi Jinping proposed the development of partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization and a comprehensive strategic partnership with a stronger global influence, which has pointed the direction for the development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership under the new situation.

At present, China is deepening reform in all areas, and advancing the modernization of its national governance system and governance capacity. It is accelerating the advancement of new-type industrialization, informatization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization, and speeding up the development of the socialist market economy, democratic politics, advanced culture, harmonious society, and ecological civilization. We will work tirelessly to realize the two centenary goals and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. The EU is undergoing governance, industrial and social transformation, promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and striving to lift its international competitiveness. China’s rapid development has become a good opportunity for Europe’s development and prosperity, while Europe with its economic strength and time-honored civilization is also one of the most important partners for China’s reform and development. China-EU cooperation has never been more urgent. We hope Europe will take a long-term perspective, surpass differences in social systems, cultural traditions and ideologies, respect the development path chosen by China, and regard China’s development as a major opportunity, to work together with China for common development.

6. Q: Another important issue for Sweden is Russia. Due to Ukraine, the “Salisbury incident” and other issues, the relationship between the EU and Russia has become increasingly tense, and Sweden is highly concerned about this. How does China view the tension between the EU and Russia?

Gui Congyou: The EU is undoubtedly an important pole in the multi-polar world. China has always attached great importance to Europe and regarded developing relations with Europe as a priority of China’s diplomacy. China continues to support the process of European integration. As a global power and permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is also a pole and has important influence in international and regional affairs.

China has consistently advocated that disputes between countries should be properly resolved through friendly negotiations. All countries should obey international law and the basic norms of international relations and avoid taking any actions that intensify contradictions. As the international community is facing many challenges, all countries should reject the cold war mentality, give up confrontation, and work together to safeguard world peace, stability and tranquility, to jointly build a new type of international relations of mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. The EU and Russia are neighbors that cannot be moved away. The only right choice for the two sides is dialogue and cooperation.

7. Q: In recent years, conflicts have increased across the world. Sweden is concerned about this. China sticks to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Can China and Sweden cooperate to promote world peace and stability?

Gui Congyou: Absolutely. No matter how powerful it becomes, China will always safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and uphold international order. China firmly remains committed to the path of peaceful development. It will be more active in maintaining international and regional security, and contribute more of Chinese experience, Chinese wisdom and Chinese approaches to improve international governance. China is firmly dedicated to political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues and strives to play a constructive role in bridging disagreements and promoting peace talks.

Sweden is also committed to safeguarding world peace and stability and advocates the settlement of disputes through diplomatic means. We appreciate this. China and Sweden can certainly strengthen cooperation in international and regional issues, and step up communication and coordination on dealing with global challenges, addressing regional hotspot issues, combating terrorism and promoting international development, so as to jointly make greater contributions to global peace and stability.

8. Q: What advice do you have for Swedish youth who want to learn about China? What should they do and what kind of opportunities do they have?

Gui Congyou: In the past 8 months as China’s ambassador to Sweden, I’ve found that young people from both China and Sweden are becoming more and more interested in each other, which is a good thing. As of the end of last year, there were more than 8,000 Chinese students studying in Sweden and nearly 400,000 Chinese tourists to Sweden, most of whom are young people. For Swedish young people who want to learn about China, I have the following suggestions for their reference.

To understand China, one must first understand China’s development path. China follows the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The 19th CPC National Congress declared that Socialism with Chinese Characteristics has entered a new era and has embarked on a new journey of building a great modern socialist country. Second, one must understand China’s system of political parties. China has CPC as the ruling party, but it’s not “one-party dictatorship” as referred to by some Westerners. Instead, it adopts a system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation, specifically cooperation and consultation with eight democratic parties. Third, one must understand China’s history and culture. China has more than 5,000 years of civilization and history and has created a splendid Chinese civilization. But in modern times, it has also experienced deep misery caused by aggression, enslavement and plunder. Only by knowing the journey of the Chinese people in the past can one understand the pursuit and dream of the Chinese people today. Fourth, I suggest that young people in Sweden read the book The Governance of China by Xi Jinping. This is the key to understanding contemporary China. This book records the thinking and practice of President Xi Jinping on governing the country and embodies the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It provides a window for comprehensively sensing and understanding China today and is the most authoritative book for in-depth comprehension of Chinese path, concept and approaches in the new era.

Seeing is believing. I also sincerely hope that young people in Sweden, whether as students or tourists, will go to China and take a look around to have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China’s past, today and the future. With sincerity and good faith, Swedish friends certainly could truly appreciate the Chinese story, Chinese miracle and Chinese spirit. I myself and the Chinese Embassy in Sweden will definitely do our best to help Swedish friends from all walks of life to better understand China.

Source , Chinese Embassy.

News

Chinese Ambassador Gui Congyou Sends Letter of Condolence to Sweden on the Passing of the IKEA Founder

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By Xuefei Chen Axelsson
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 1(Greenpost) —  On 30 January,  Chinese Ambassador to Sweden, Gui Congyou sent a letter of condolence to the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs on the passing of the IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad.

Ambassador Gui said he was deeply saddened by the unfortunate news that the IKEA founder Mr. Ingvar Kamprad passed away and would like to express deep condolences and sincere sympathy to his bereaved family.

Gui said China highly appreciates Mr. Kamprad’s outstanding contributions to promoting China-Sweden friendship and economic and trade cooperation and will always remember him.

The Chinese side stands ready to work with Swedish friends to continue expanding bilateral friendly exchanges and cooperation.

Kamprad is remembered by many Chinese as a man who is very thrifty to himself, but very  generous to the poor or those who are in need.

Text from Chinese Embassy website and photo from website.