BAKU, Azerbaijan, July
8. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concludes his
week-long tour of Scandinavia on July 8 with talks in Oslo with
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. The six-day trip has
taken him to Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.


Global trade has shown signs of stabilizing following a series
of direct diplomatic contacts and negotiations between U.S.
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing is
using this window to broaden its network of partners across Europe,
looking beyond traditional hubs such as Berlin and Paris to
capitals including Oslo. Norway is a small but important link,
supplying raw materials and technology while serving as a reliable
Western partner.


The trade figures reflect the growing relationship. Norway
exported $4.7 billion worth of goods to China in 2025, with growth
continuing into 2026. In May alone, exports reached $1.26 billion.
Fish and seafood dominated shipments, generating $1.19 billion in
export revenue, including 12.3 billion Norwegian kroner (about
$1.15 billion) from salmon and other fish products. China is now
among the three largest markets for Norwegian salmon. In several
months during 2025 and 2026, seafood exports rose by 50% to 80%
year-on-year, driven in part by growing uncertainty in the U.S.
market following tariff measures.


Norway's imports from China are led by telecommunications
equipment, electronics, machinery and clothing. Imports totaled
$1.26 billion in May, reinforcing the upward trend. At the same
time, Norwegian exports declined by 25% year-on-year in April 2026
to 3.21 billion kroner ($325.5 million), underscoring that trade
growth has been uneven rather than linear.







The Oslo talks are expected to focus on three main areas of
practical economic cooperation. The first is green energy,
including offshore wind, hydrogen technologies and marine resource
management, where Norway offers advanced engineering expertise and
China provides large-scale industrial capacity and market demand.
The second is Arctic cooperation, covering scientific research and
logistics through initiatives such as the China-Nordic Arctic
Research Center and related forums, including events scheduled in
Tromsø in 2026. The third is services, with Norway set to be the
guest country at the China International Fair for Trade in Services
(CIFTIS 2026) in Beijing this September, creating new opportunities
for Norwegian companies in shipping, green technology and
aquaculture.


Another practical factor supporting closer ties is easier
business travel. Since 2024, Norwegian citizens have benefited from
a 15-day visa-free entry policy for China, helping maintain strong
business mobility between the two countries. According to the
Norwegian Business in China 2026 report, Norwegian companies
operating in China remain moderately optimistic about their
prospects and continue to view the Chinese market as a long-term
strategic destination.


Wang's visit is part of Beijing's broader effort to diversify
its partnerships across Europe. For China, Norway offers expertise
in green technologies, maritime industries and a stable supply of
seafood. For Norway, China represents an expanding export market at
a time of heightened uncertainty in trade with the United States.
The next phase of the relationship is likely to be driven by
sector-specific cooperation, with concrete agreements in fisheries,
offshore energy and services linked to CIFTIS expected to provide
the clearest indication of where Beijing-Oslo ties are headed.