Illustration: VCG

Editor's Note:

Chinese electric cars have surged to account for almost 10 percent of new car sales in Norway in only five years, data from the Norwegian Road Federation showed recently. This took place against the backdrop that the EU increased tariffs up to 45.3 percent on Chinese-imported electric vehicles (EVs). In an interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Wang Wenwen, Kjell Magne Bondevik (Bondevik), former prime minister of Norway, believed that such tariffs will not serve positive goals. "It's only practice that can convince both parties that we are in the same boat," said Bondevik, regarding China-Europe relations. "We want the same main things," he noted.

GT: Despite the EU's decision to increase import tariffs on Chinese EVs, Volkswagen and Xpeng, a leading Chinese EV manufacturer, announced on Monday a partnership to build an ultra-fast charging network in China. What do you think of such cooperation? Do you think imposing tariffs is the solution to trade issues?

Bondevik: The contribution of Chinese EVs to the European industry is crucial. China has much to contribute both in Europe and other continents. In the long term, such tariffs will not serve positive goals. I acknowledge that there may be some specific situations where tariffs will be introduced as a reaction to special events, but we should try to have open economies with all countries and not impose tariffs. We should try to cooperate in a positive atmosphere. Transparency is important in this regard. We must be open toward each other. 

We cannot address the challenges of climate change without cooperating with China. It is urgent that we solve these problems and take on these challenges. Only China is doing much now - it has an advanced green technology and it is committed to contributing to solving this problem. Again, cooperation is much better than confrontation. 

GT: How do you evaluate the current China-Europe relations? In what areas can they enhance cooperation?

Bondevik: Let me say, there is a combination of uncertainty on the one hand, and on the other hand, more opening-up. It's only practice that can convince both parties that we are in the same boat. We want the same main things.  

There are a number of areas that have vast room to cooperate, such as the economy, energy and climate change, and cultural exchange. China is so rich in cultural heritage. I have been so impressed when visiting China to see different cultural expressions and heritage. It should be much more known in Europe. Also, European countries have something to contribute in this regard. That is very different from the cultural heritage in China. We should change much more on that level. I hope that more opening-up now between Europe and China and, between Norway and China especially, will contribute to more knowledge about our countries. 

GT: While benign competition can always push countries toward co-development, malign competition seems to dominate some countries' approaches toward others. How should China and Europe cope with this trend?

Bondevik: Competition can be good in a way, but it must be positive competition among friends. There is only one way to move in the right direction, that is, to be open and transparent and to promote an exchange of views among people. We have different political systems in China and in most European countries. But I hope it's possible for us as Europeans to talk with the Chinese side about areas where we have differences. On one hand, we can foster positive development in sensitive political fields. We should talk openly about sensitive political issues. Then I think competition can be a positive thing, because we have the same goals, to promote peace, security and the welfare for all people. 

GT: How do you foresee the future of China-US relations with an incoming new US administration, and what implications might this have for Europe?

Bondevik: We must acknowledge that China and the US compete in several areas. We can only hope that their relationship will develop in a positive way. And this will have consequences for Europe, because what China and the US are doing - toward each other and against each other - can leave Europe feeling squeezed between these two major powers. I think that Europe has to be united, as strong as possible, but I appeal to both the US and China to compete less and cooperate more. That's the only solution and it would benefit the people of both countries as well as Europe. 

GT: Many believe that "openness" is an important keyword for China in 2024 and that the country will continue to deepen its opening-up in 2025. Norway was one of the first European countries to be granted visa-free access to China. While some countries are turning inward, what do you think of China's commitment to opening-up?

Bondevik: In general, this is very positive, because we want more open borders between all countries, allowing people to meet each other, both at the leaders' level and among ordinary citizens. I do think that this visa-free policy between Norway and China will increase the exchanges of people visiting each other. People-to-people cooperation is important to establish more friendship, understand each other and promote peace.

China is a big economy. Nobody can neglect it. So instead of confrontation, it's much better to cooperate. And economic links will also help strengthen political links and promote reconciliation and peace. I think that increasing economic integration is very positive. It will yield positive results for all involved. 

GT: You attended the Imperial Springs International Forum, which was held in Madrid, Spain, in December. The theme of the forum was "Collective Action for One Future," a concept that China promotes and which is embedded in the initiatives it has proposed. How will these initiatives, such as the Global Development Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative, foster collective action and global cooperation in the year 2025?

Bondevik: Without question, they can contribute positively. I appreciate that China emphasizes multilateralism over unilateralism, as we need more cooperation, not isolation or confrontation. I think these ideas from China are a good contribution to such a way of thinking. We can develop a global community because we rely on each other. Therefore, we must cooperate instead of merely competing.