Chinese President Hu Jintao said Sunday that China appreciates the important role played by the Nordic countries in international affairs and will continue to work with them to uphold world peace and promote common development.

In a speech delivered at a welcome dinner hosted by the Sweden-China Trade Council, Hu said the Nordic countries are noted for their love for peace, their commitment to development and cooperation, their active participation in international affairs, and the generous assistance they provide to developing countries.

"Sweden and other Nordic countries have over the years followed development models suited to your national conditions and made remarkable achievements in many areas," he said.

In the face of deepening economic globalization, he said, the Nordic countries have made timely adjustments to industrial structures and vigorously promoted scientific innovation and the development of knowledge-based economy, thus leading the world in international competitiveness and innovation.

There is a broad prospect for China and the Nordic countries to draw on each other's strengths and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, Hu said.

"I hope that the business communities of the Nordic countries will seize the opportunity to increase your share of the Chinese market," he said.

To strengthen the business ties, Hu said, China and the Nordic countries may take the following steps:

-- Increase trade and improve trade structure, enhance mechanisms for trade cooperation and dialogue to create a more enabling and efficient trading environment and enhance cooperation, particularly in scientific innovation and services trade.

-- Strengthen cooperation in new energy and environmental protection, especially in raising energy efficiency in the construction sector and in hybrid energy and clean energy development.

-- Encourage technological cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises of China and the Nordic countries, set up platforms for them to increase business contacts and encourage them to share distribution channels and jointly develop products.

-- Take the Beijing Olympic Games and the Shanghai World Expo as a good opportunity to expand cooperation.

"The Chinese government supports mutually beneficial cooperation between our companies at various levels and in multiple areas," the Chinese president said.

"It is my sincere hope that the business communities of our two countries will join hands and break new ground in China-Sweden trade and business cooperation," said the president.

Hu, who arrived in Stockholm on Friday for a state visit to Sweden, will leave for home on Sunday night.