"There is great potential for cooperation between Norway and Shandong, especially in marine economy," said Signe Brudeset, Norwegian ambassador to China, in a signed article.

Brudeset noted that Shandong and Norway have many things in common: long coastlines, long maritime traditions and a thriving marine industry and research institutions.

Both sides also firmly believe that the health and well-being of people and sustainable economic development are heavily dependent on the sustainable management of natural resources and a healthy and sustainable ocean, she added.

Signe Brudeset, Norwegian ambassador to China [Photo/dzwww.com]

"During our discussions, we agreed on the need to accelerate the development of a green economy in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The positive cooperation between Norway and Shandong reflects this consensus, and I believe there is still broad space for further cooperation between the two sides," she said.

According to the ambassador, the marine industry accounts for more than 70 percent of Norway's exports and is the backbone of the Norwegian economy. Norway is one of the world's leading maritime countries, with a large number of outstanding companies in shipping, seafood, offshore wind power, oil and gas, and offshore technology research and development.

In 1914, DNV GL, a Norway-based international accredited registrar and classification society, established an office in Qingdao to better serve Norwegian ships overseas.

In 1984, the Norwegian government donated a survey ship to the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute in Qingdao. The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute have spent more than 20 years studying and monitoring fisheries resources in the waters around Shandong province, she said.

In 2019, China was the third largest export market for Norwegian seafood, and Atlantic salmon was the most popular variety among Chinese consumers.

Every year, major Norwegian seafood companies gather in Qingdao for the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, which has been attended by several Norwegian fisheries ministers in recent years. Brudeset said that this important platform will create more opportunities for the two sides to further strengthen seafood trade and cooperation.