On June 2, 2025, the Swedish online media outlet NewsVoice published an interview with Chinese Ambassador to Sweden Cui Aimin, conducted by Editor-in-Chief Torbjorn Sassersson and Editor Christian Pavón. The full text is as follows:
Torbjorn Sassersson: Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, for this interview. We greatly appreciate that you are giving us this time. This year, 2025, marks the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between our two countries. How can that relationship strengthen in these days of political turmoil?
Ambassador Cui: Good question, and I would like to share my thoughts on this.
Over the past 75 years, China-Sweden relations have developed steadily, and cooperation in various fields has continued to move forward.
Our two countries—one from the East and one from the West—have different civilisations, different social systems, and different development stages, and they have written a splendid chapter of mutual success and common progress.
As the world is evolving at a faster pace, our two countries need to carry forward traditional friendship, increase communication and mutual understanding, and deepen cooperation so as to move forward our bilateral relations.
I would like to share these proposals for this end.
First, we need to strengthen political mutual trust. Our two countries need to bear in mind the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations that feature independence, mutual respect and mutual benefits. We also need to view our bilateral relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective.
We need to strengthen policy communication and mutual understanding, and also properly view each other’s core interests and major concerns so as to lay a solid political foundation for the comprehensive development of our relations.
Second, our two countries need to deepen practical cooperation. China and Sweden are each other’s largest trading partners in the Nordic region and in Asia, respectively.
The cooperation between our two countries have a solid foundation and potential. So I think while maintaining our traditional economic and trade cooperation, our two countries can further explore the cooperation in areas like green and low-carbon development, new energy, etc, and also create more highlights in our cooperation.
And third, our two countries need to conduct more people-to-people and cultural exchanges because people are the most important factor that decides international relations. So I think China and Sweden can further strengthen the academic, educational and cultural exchanges, and hold more events related to these areas. Think tanks and academic institutions also need to have more dialogue and cooperation. This would help increase the mutual understanding between our peoples and also build up public support for the development of our relations.
And fourthly, our two countries need to strengthen multilateral cooperation because all countries are confronted with the common global challenges like climate change, obstacles to free trade and also public health challenges. So China and Sweden need to strengthen policy coordination and communication through mechanisms like the UN, WHO and WTO, so as to contribute to world peace and stability as well as prosperity and development.
All in all, I think China and Sweden share a traditional bond of friendship, and we have similar development goals and directions. We have highly complementary industries and have built them on the foundation of cooperation, and we enjoy a promising future ahead. So, I think our two countries need to join hands and promote closer cooperation and exchanges so as to deliver greater benefits to our two peoples.
T. Sassersson: Thank you. My next question is about President Xi Jinping’s statement in which he announced that he would like to see more contact between ordinary people, not only politicians, diplomats, and business people. So, what is China doing to create more contacts between ordinary people besides tourism?
Ambassador Cui: For a country to develop, it’s necessary to connect and have contact with the outside world, and that’s why China adopts the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world.
In order to promote the exchanges and interaction between Chinese and Swedish people, we have not only adopted measures to attract more Swedish visitors to take a tour in China, we have also taken some other measures.
Firstly, in the field of economy and trade, we have been encouraging the exchanges between entrepreneurs and people from the business community by holding trade events, trade forums or matchmaking events for example.We have been encouraging the enterprises to have more contact with each other, to increase the mutual understanding and to encourage them invest and do business in the other country.
I myself have attended many, many events. For example, the commercial or business forums in Sweden. And I also attended a number of events held by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China.
We welcome Swedish enterprises to attend major expos in China. Events like the China International Import Expo and the Canton Fair have been held yearly, which attracted Swedish delegations to attend. Last year, Sweden sent the largest delegation in the Swedish history to the CIIE and has achieved many fruitful outcomes.
Secondly, we also think that strengthening the people-to-people, cultural and educational exchanges are also essential for increasing the mutual understanding among peoples. Over the last two years, we have held a number of events for this purpose, including some receptions, concerts, art performances and exhibitions. These events are very successful and have been warmly and extensively welcomed by the Swedish people.
And thirdly, we have also taken some positive steps to promote the exchanges between think tanks, academic institutions and media, and some progress was achieved. Through our efforts, more Chinese experts and scholars are coming to Sweden, and more Swedish experts and scholars are going to China to exchange their ideas, and I think the interactions between media and academic institutions would create a friendly sphere for our relations.
I have a strong impression that more and more Swedish people are now rediscovering their interest in China and would like to know more about China, and more Chinese people are also interested in Sweden and would like to know more about Sweden. Based on the statistics, the number of Chinese tourists coming to Sweden has already recovered and even exceeded the average level before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number is still increasing.
T. Sassersson: Why do you think Chinese people are so interested in Sweden? It’s such a small country in the corner of Northern Europe, far away from China.
Ambassador Cui: The Chinese people think that Sweden is a very beautiful and unique country in the Nordic region. It has many stories and legends, and its inventions are very much related to the normal life of the Chinese people, and that is why more Chinese people want to visit Sweden. This is also the reason why the relevant Chinese department may consider increasing the flights between our two countries.
With these efforts, the understanding, friendship and trust between the Chinese and Swedish peoples would be further consolidated, and our friendly relations would have a very promising future.
T. Sassersson: Mr. Ambassador, you talk a lot about peace, trade, tourism and so on. What about cooperation in the fields of green development and technology, science and innovation? Can you say something about how that is going between China and Sweden? Are we exchanging researchers also?
Ambassador Cui: I would very much like to answer this question. I think what you just said represents the highlight of the China-Sweden cooperation in the future. Because China is now pursuing high quality development and the Chinese modernization, which has science and technological development as well as green development as the defining features.
In China’s export to other countries, the products of new technologies takes up a very large part, like new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and PV products. These are the products with high tech and high added value and leads the green development.
Sweden is known as the country of innovation. It is also one of the first countries to conduct environmental and ecological protection and introduce the concept of sustainable development. Sweden has also accumulated rich experience in green and low-carbon development. As China pursues high-quality development, the structure of economic and trade cooperation between China and Sweden has been improving. The cooperation in emerging industries where industries are taking a larger share, and we are seeing more and more highlights in sci-tech.
Since last year, two very important meetings have been held. The first is the 7th meeting of the China-Sweden Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation, and the second is the 21st meeting of the China-Sweden Joint Committee on Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation. Both sides decided that China and Sweden would continue the cooperation in green development as well as sci-tech innovation cooperation, and establish the Chinese-Swedish Working Group on Green Transition Investments.
We will take 75th anniversary as an opportunity not only to deepen our cooperation in traditional fields, but also to explore the cooperation in new fields like green, low-carbon technology and environmental protection, encourage investment and cooperation in new energy, new materials and bio-manufacturing, and tap the potential in artificial intelligence and digital economy, empower high-tech enterprises, especially small- and medium-sized companies, and enhance mutual visits and exchanges between scientific and technological personnel, so as to make greater and more positive contributions to the prosperity and progress of the two countries as well as global sustainable development.
T. Sassersson: When I researched which major Swedish companies are doing business in China, I found that all the major Swedish industries are still present. That must be proof of a working relationship, despite the current political turmoil, because it appears that business is being conducted. At the same time, some politicians and journalists attempt to portray it in a negative light. What is your comment on that?
Ambassador Cui Aimin: Despite the accelerated changes in the international landscape, China-Sweden relations, generally speaking, are stable, and more importantly, China’s development is stable, harmonious and progressive, and that is why Swedish enterprises are optimistic about the Chinese market and would like to increase their cooperation with and investment in China.
As I just said, China and Sweden are each other’s largest trading partners in Asia and the Nordic region, respectively. I think this speaks volumes about the enthusiasm of the business community for each other’s markets and the scale of economic and trade cooperation between our two countries.
Now, more than 500 Swedish companies are doing business in China and are engaged in more than 1,000 cooperation projects. More than 10,000 Swedish companies are involved in business and trade with China.
In recent years, more and more Chinese enterprises are coming to Sweden to cooperate in emerging industries, such as science and technology and its applications. And there are a number of successful cases.
No matter how the international landscape evolves, China-Sweden economic and trade cooperation has never stopped. Sweden’s advanced technologies and concepts align very well with China’s pursuit of the green transition. China’s vast markets and huge development potential have provided broader space for cooperation.
I think there is a saying that captures our cooperation very well: Embracing China is embracing opportunities, believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future.
We welcome more friends from all sectors in Sweden to continue expanding and deepening cooperation with China to achieve greater mutual benefits.
Christian Pavón: Do you, Mr. Ambassador, believe that Trump’s tariff war against Europe and China will help further Chinese and European relations rather than separate them?
Cui Aimin: Recently, Donald Trump has imposed unreasonable tariffs on many countries, including China, in violation of economic rules and market principles. Such action has seriously harmed our development interests, disrupted the global economic order, and created many troubles for other countries. Such action will inevitably face widespread opposition from the international community.
If we examine the trade between China and the US, as well as between the EU and the US, it is clear that both China and the EU are victims of the US’s unreasonable tariffs. Both China and the EU are firm advocates of free trade and economic globalisation, and we stand firmly against unilateralism and power politics.
China attaches great importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU. Just recently, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, highlighting the significance of this relationship.
Both China and the EU are strong forces for world peace, stability, and development. Our relationship must continue to progress. Although China and the EU have some trade disputes or disagreements, we will be able to move our economic and trade relations forward with the spirit of mutual benefit, mutual respect, and friendly consultation.
China does not seek a trade war with the US. If a trade war is what the US wants, China is ready to fight to the end. If the US wants to talk, China’s door for talks remains open. Our countermeasures are taken to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests.
Nevertheless, we still hope that we can reach an agreement with the US in the spirit of mutual respect, fairness, justice, and mutual benefit, so as to move forward the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and contribute to global development in the process.
T. Sassersson: I have two more questions about BRI and BRICS. For viewers unaware of BRI, it’s about infrastructure projects in which China and its partners build bridges, harbours, roads, and railways to improve trade.
We also have the BRICS cooperation between many countries. Could Sweden gain from membership in BRICS? Could Sweden gain anything from becoming a BRI member?
Cui Aimin: In 2013, President Xi Jinping put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, opening a new chapter of world development. Since then, more than 150 countries have joined the initiative, collectively embarking on a path of cooperation, opportunity, and prosperity.
The BRI has become one of the most widely welcomed global public goods and the largest platform for international cooperation. So, what is the BRI really about? I think its primary goal is to promote global connectivity and economic collaboration, to advance green and sustainable development, to deepen the coordinated development of science, technology, and the digital economy, to enhance global governance through alignment with multilateral rules, and to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
The benefits of the Belt and Road initiative go beyond the economic realm. More importantly, through its emphasis on green transition, innovation in rulemaking, and stronger people-to-people ties, the BRI exemplifies a practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The BRI was launched by China, but it belongs to the world. That is why we have always followed the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits in its implementation.
Global participation is essential for the BRI. All countries, including Sweden, can be participants, contributors and beneficiaries of this initiative.
About 30 European countries have engaged in BRI cooperation with China, covering areas such as infrastructure, logistics, ports and finance. We sincerely welcome Sweden and other Northern European countries to join the big family of BRI and contribute to global connectivity and sustainable development.
Sweden’s Götheborg ship was among the earliest vessels to engage in maritime trade with China, enriching the essence of the Maritime Silk Road. Recently, I read a book about the history of Sweden’s trade with the East.
I learned that Sweden was once the farthest northwest country on the ancient Silk Road. We hope the BRI will serve as a valuable platform for the connectivity, cooperation, and common development of China and Europe, including Sweden. We are willing to engage in discussions with the Swedish side on the BRI. We welcome Sweden’s early participation in the Initiative.
T. Sassersson: And also, the BRICS, does your answer include the BRICS cooperation?
Cui Aimin: BRICS cooperation represents cooperation among the Global South. BRICS cooperation is formed by emerging markets and developing countries. It aligns with the international community’s aspirations to uphold peace, promote development, and improve global governance.
It has been nearly 20 years since BRICS was established, and now the BRICS family accounts for nearly half of the world’s population, 1/3 of the global economic output, and 50% of the global economic growth.
The BRICS mechanism has become a key platform for promoting cooperation among the Global South and an important force driving the reform of the global governance system, with growing representation, influence and appeal. For now, the expansion of BRICS mainly includes emerging markets and developing countries.
The significance for BRICS members is threefold.
Firstly, the mechanism has enhanced economic and political cooperation among the Global South. It has also amplified their voices in international affairs of the developing countries.
Secondly, this mechanism has strengthened multilateralism. The establishment of the New Development Bank and other institutions provided an alternative in global finance and advanced the global governance reform.
Thirdly, this mechanism has also helped countries develop their economies, and through cooperation projects, BRICS members are advancing infrastructure development and driving economic growth.
In essence, BRICS is a unique platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries in the Global South. It plays a vital role in fostering a community with a shared future for mankind.