(Yicai) Nov. 8 -- Norway aims to further solidify its partnership with China by establishing a bilateral seafood trade framework with its second-largest market for marine exports, fostering sustained demand for Norwegian seafood, the Scandinavian country's minister of fisheries and ocean policy said to Yicai at the 7th China International Import Expo.

Marianne Sivertsen Næss was promoting Norwegian seafood at the CIIE country pavilion by cooking jiaozi, a traditional Chinese dumpling, with a unique twist: using Norwegian salmon, mackerel, and Arctic sweet shrimp as fillings. The event took place on "Lidong"—the 19th solar term in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, symbolizing the start of winter. Traditionally, this time of year is associated with eating dumplings in northern China, as it marks a season for hearty, warm foods.

The ties are getting stronger. Norway exported NOK6.6 billion (USD606 billion) worth of seafood to China in the first three quarters of this year, an increase of 16 percent year-on-year, with a total volume of 126,000 tons.

Norway’s success at last year’s CIIE led to expanded participation this year, according to Henning Kristoffersen, head of Innovation Norway in China. He emphasized that China-Norway collaboration is vital for Norway’s green transformation in maritime sectors, including maritime transport.

Other Northern European countries also recognize the value of CIIE. Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio, inaugurated the Nordic country's national pavilion, featuring 18 local firms, while an additional 10 companies hosted individual displays.

Danish company Aquaporin, which specializes in eco-friendly water purification systems, is also using the CIIE platform to introduce new technologies and equipment to Chinese policymakers and customers to help them reach sustainability goals, Zhou Zhijin, the company’s Chinese market director, said to Yicai. 

According to China’s commerce ministry, trade between China and the five Nordic countries, including Sweden and Iceland, is anticipated to reach USD50 billion by year-end, highlighting the deepening ties and high-quality trade developments between China and Northern Europe.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Emmi Laine