Government's new China strategy: More cooperation and knowledge is needed

During the year, the Swedish government has worked to formulate a national China strategy, in addition to the one the EU already has. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consulted experts and researchers to formulate guidelines and advice for various actors who will cooperate with the major power China.

That the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sees a wide range of problems and challenges with China is evident from the strategy that the government has now clubbed and submitted to Parliament.

In the strategy, the government states that Swedish security interests are prioritized. It also states that more knowledge is needed about what security interests China has in Europe, for example. A knowledge center on China will be established.

“China's growth represents one of the biggest global changes since the fall of the Berlin Wall. China today has a global presence and a growing influence. The government wants to increase knowledge in Sweden and work for more cooperation and information sharing about China, ”writes Foreign Minister Ann Linde in a comment to SVT News.

Relations between Sweden and China are frosty, not least because of the imprisonment of Swedish-Chinese publisher Gui Minhai. "China has refused to obey Swedish demands for his release," writes the government, which "consistently and clearly will address the issue" with China. It should also continue to participate actively in the dialogue that the EU is engaging with the country.

The strategy highlights, among other things, China's importance to the Swedish economy. The country is Sweden's leading trading partner in Asia and the eighth largest overall. An investigation has been set up to examine foreign investments that may threaten the country's security.

The government points out that the Chinese state places people at universities for military purposes, and that a clear line between military and civilian purpose is impossible.

China is also trying in various ways to obtain intelligence information on technological developments in various industries in Sweden and in the Swedish defense.