From: <a href="http://www.aftenposten.no/spesial/wikileaksdokumenter/article3960175.ece">Aftenposten</a><br>
Date: 17.05.2008: 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000278
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP DAS CHRISTENSEN
E.O. 12958:
DECL: 05/17/2018 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, ETRD, SENV, CH, NO 
SUBJECT: NORWAY´S CHINESE STRATEGY
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Kristen F. Bauer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (C)
Summary. In a May 15 meeting with EAP DAS Tom Christensen,
Norway´s MFA China experts outlined their strategy for
tackling economic, environmental, human rights and defense
issues with China. They hope for FTA negotiations and a
Security Policy Dialogue to start soon. Climate Change issues
in China continue to be a central focus of Norwegian political
leadership, resulting in new funding and agreements. Finally,
they reviewed key areas of focus and progress in Norway´s
long-running Human Rights Dialogue with China. End Summary.

2. (C)
In a May 15 meeting with DAS Christensen, xxxx, xxxx and xxxx
reviewed Norway´s China policy and the direction they hope
bilateral relationship will take. The policy in general aims
to promote Norwegian business interests and values, promote
progress on climate change and sustainable development, and
encourage China to play a more active role in the world
community, promoting the UN and respecting human rights.

Norway´s FTA Hopes 
------------------

3. (C)
On the economic side, Norway hopes to start negotiating a Free
Trade Agreement with China soon. They have conducted a joint
feasibility study and are awaiting a Chinese decision on those
results. Assuming the Chinese agree, full negotiations could
immediately begin.

Environment 
-----------

4. (SBU)
Climate change is a top Norwegian foreign policy interest. For
this reason, the GON plans to intensify development
cooperation with China to promote capacity with a view to
helping China fulfill international environmental obligations.
The Norwegian Foreign Minister signed a Framework Agreement on
Cooperation and Dialogue on Climate Change in January and the
GON recently allocated $20 million under this effort.

Human Rights 
------------

5. (C)
Norway´s 11 year old Human Rights Dialogue continues to be an
important part of its overall China policy. In shaping their
Human Rights Dialogue, Norway has kept in mind the need to add
value and have results. In response to Christensen´s questions
on what the dialogue covers and how it has made progress, they
cited:
--Penal law: Norway has had exchanges among prison officials,
visited Chinese prisons, and had bilateral discussions on
penal codes. They feel there have been results in improved
understanding and a decrease in the number of executions.
--Mental Health: While not strictly speaking a traditional
human rights area, the Norwegian dialogue has branched off
into mental health and they have found it useful to pursue
this as a way to promote both health and rule of law.
--Exchanges of Ombudsmen: Norway has a number of Ombudsmen for
Children´s Rights, Equality Rights and so forth. Under the
auspices of the dialogue, Norway has sent its Ombudsmen to
China and has hosted Chinese counterparts in an effort to
exchange information and promote best practices.
--Dialogue among Attorneys: Norway has held joint seminars on
the role of lawyers in society and had exchanges between
prosecuting attorneys.
--Labor Rights: Norway, with its long history of a strong
labor movement, has built into its talks a substantial labor
rights component.
--Free Press: Norway has held seminars to promote
understanding of the role of the media.

6. (C)
xxxx concluded that the Human Rights dialogue has been a plus
for the overall bilateral Norwegian-Chinese relationship, with
China expressing a growing interest in the Nordic model, which
fosters close consensus and cooperation among government,
labor and business.

Defense and the UN 
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7. (C)
Touching on other pillars of their China policy, xxxx noted
that they also are hoping to start a broad Security Policy
Dialogue. This idea was promoted by the Norwegian State
Secretary of Defense when he met with Chinese Vice Minister
Zhang Yesui in March, and they hope the dialogue, among other
things, would increase bilateral consultations on UN
peacekeeping efforts and disarmament. Finally, xxxx mentioned
the Norwegian interest, as a strong supporter of the UN, in
building deeper cooperation with China to promote the UN and
its specialized agencies.

8. (U)
DAS Christensen did not have an opportunity to clear this
cable.

WHITNEY
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