“The meeting was an excellent opportunity for Li Zhanshu, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, and me to exchange views on common global challenges,” said President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani.

Both men recognized the need for international cooperation to solve the climate crisis.

“China has a key role to play in tackling the climate crisis. Consequently, the need for collaboration on the climate and the green transition was one of the most important topics during our meeting,” continued Mr Gharahkhani.

Other important items on the agenda were trade and multilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, the President of the Storting also raised the issues of the war in Ukraine and concerns about the human rights situation in the Chinese province of Xinjiang.

“I attached great importance to how shocking the war in Ukraine is from a Norwegian and European perspective. It’s deeply disturbing that a member of the UN Security Council has broken the Charter of the United Nations and international law so fundamentally. I also took the opportunity to emphasise how important it is for China to play its role in contributing to a peaceful and diplomatic solution,” said Mr Gharahkhani.

Both the Chairman of the National People’s Congress and the Storting President underlined the important role of interparliamentary dialogue.

Li Zhanshu made an official visit to the Storting in May 2019. He was hosted by the then President of the Storting, Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen.