China's Ambassador: "We have a lot to learn in the Arctic"

"Our main focus in the Arctic areas is scientific research, we want to follow the development of the climate change", says Chinas Ambassdor to Norway, Min Wang.

High North News met with the Ambassador after his visit to Nord University Wednesday afternoon, where mr. Wang strongly underlines the need and wish for stronger relations between China and Norway.

We are far behind

"Research by Chineese scientists in the High North is at a very initial stage, I think we are far behind the research level of other countries - like Russia, like the United States and like Norway," Wang says, adding that he think China has a lot to learn from scientists from other countries in the High North. And this is the only background for Chinas interests in the Arctic areas, mr. Wang underlines.

HNN: You yourself is known as a strong supporter of cooperation between the regions of differents states or countries. Why is that? Are the regions better in cooperating than the national states?

Several levels of cooperation

"No, no, no - thats is not the case, the regions are parts of any sovereign country, so there are always several levels of cooperations among different countries.

First of all is the national level, and the second area is about the regional level. So the regional level is one of the substantial parts  of the relationships between different countries. That means that if you have a strong regional relationship, you also have a stronger country-to-country relationaship," Ambassador Min Wang states.

HNN: In the North of Norway, the people-to-people relations with Russia is quite tight, and probably also easing the Norway-Russia relations on a national level. Do you see any possible development, like that, between the Chineese and Norwegian people?

China - Russia - Nord University

"Yes, if we work together, we could. If we work together closely, and along continous lines, that is possible. But there is one small problem; China is far away from Norway - and we are divided by only one country - Russia - and that is not a small country, it is big," smiles Ambassador Wang.

At Nord university, mr. Wang and his company recived information about the international cooperation taking place within education and science between Nord University and partners in both China and Russia.


Greate possibillities 

He was also told about the development of The Center for High North Logistics, regarding the Northern Searoute and he was informed of parts of the tecnical developments in Norwegian fish farming - now heading for farming the high seas.

Ambassador Wang underlined the necessity that not only the countries Norway and China should keep up the cooperation, but also the professors and the Universities, and make sure that - as he put it; "not have set backs in the future".