Sino-Norway Judiciary Exchanges Started

Top Chinese legislator Li Peng met Monday in Beijing with President of the Supreme Court of Norway Carsten Smith and his party, exchanging views on issues of common concern including bilateral judiciary contacts.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, said that since China and Norway set up diplomatic ties in 1954, bilateral relations have experienced smooth development.

In the past few years, bilateral cooperation in various fields has progressed rapidly, and bilateral judiciary exchanges have started, added Li.

He said that this visit will help promote bilateral judiciary exchanges and cooperation, especially those between the two supreme courts, and push forward the development of Sino-Norwegian friendship and cooperation.

Li noted that China pays great attention to exchanges with other countries, and China's legislative and judicial work should not only conform to its own conditions, but also learn from advanced foreign expertise.

He said he hoped that Smith would introduce Norway's experience to his Chinese counterparts.

Li also briefed the visitors on China's domestic situation.

Smith said that in the past few years bilateral high-level judicial contacts have been increasing, and there have been constant exchanges in the legal field.

He went on to say that bilateral relations have developed well since the two countries set up diplomatic ties, and bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields are based on their firm bilateral friendship.

The visitors are here as guests of China's Supreme People's Court (SPC).

SPC President Xiao Yang met with the visitors Monday in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency October 22,2001)