Mr. Li had expressed that one of his main purposes for visting Norway was to increase his knowledge about Norwegian culture and cultural policies. Norway’s Minister of Culture and Church Affairs, Trond Giske, introduced the Ibsen museum to Mr Li, in which this year marks the ‘Ibsen Year’ in Norway and abroad. There are also several Ibsen events taking place in China. Mr. Li visited the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, NRK, as well and had talks with managing director Bernander. While in Norway Mr. Li also travelled to the city of Bergen, and visited Troldhaugen, the home of the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Finally, Mr. Li was taken on a wonderful cruise to marvel at the beautiful Hardangerfjord.
During his visit Mr. Li also had a meeting with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, where the good bilateral relations between Norway and China were emphasized. China’s impressive economic growth has also influenced Norway’s trade relations with China resulting in China now constitues Norway’s most important trading partner in Asia. Additionally, Mr. Li met with the acting Norwegian Parliament President Carl I. Hagen and other members of various committees of the Norwegian Parliament. There were also meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Støre, and Minister of International Development, Erik Solheim. Cultural cooperation, cooperation regarding human rights and freedom of expression, as well as the potential to cooperate on advancing social and sustainable globalization, were discussed in the meetings.