China and Norway agreed on Monday to continue to deepen cooperation in various fields, including exploring green transformation and facilitating cross-border travel.

The pledge was made in a meeting between China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide, who is on a three-day official visit to China that lasts through Wednesday.

They also agreed jointly to advocate multilateralism and free trade, and strengthen coordination when addressing common challenges such as climate change and biodiversity protection.

Noting that Eide is the first foreign minister from Europe to tour China in the new year, Wang said that the visit showed that Norway attaches great importance to China and that bilateral relations have maintained a momentum of development.

Norway was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with China.

After 70 years of development, China-Norway relations have become more mature and resilient, driving by vigorous internal dynamics, Wang said.

Wang added that he appreciates Norway viewing China's development in an objective, rational and friendly way.

He called on the two countries to accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, to deepen practical cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination and uphold openness and inclusiveness, so as to push for greater development of bilateral ties.

Eide added that Norway firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and advocates mutual respect and enhancing constructive dialogue.

Oslo appreciates Beijing's change of development mode, he said, adding that the two sides have broad space for cooperation in the field of green transformation.

Middle East situation

Wang and Eide also exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East. They agreed that it is necessary to end hostilities in Gaza immediately, and to allow more humanitarian assistance.

They called for joint efforts to prevent further spillover of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as well as the immediate release of all detainees.

The two sides urged donor countries not to suspend their support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and to allow the agency to continue its vital humanitarian work in Gaza and the Middle East.

The two countries agreed on the need to strengthen support for the Palestinian National Authority and to start the political process to the two-state solution that would allow both the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in peace and security.