China 2018

King Harald and Queen Sonja arrive in Dunhuang 11 October. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

This is their second state visit to China. The first took place in 1997. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

Dunhuang is surrounded by the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts, and the sand dunes are a popular tourist attraction. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The first visit on Their Majesties' agenda was to Gansu Dunhuang Solar Park. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Mr Zhan Shun Zhou gave King Harald and Queen Sonja a tour of the huge solar park. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The Gansu Dunhuang Solar Park was China’s first large-scale solar power plant when it opened in 2010. Today, the plant supplies the electricity needs of 200 000 people. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

In 2017, China alone accounted for over half of all solar power capacity expansion, and the country is taking a leading role in global efforts to combat climate change. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Surrounded by solar panels in Dunhuang. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Later in the day, The King and Queen visited Dunhuang City Kindergarten. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The children had prepared a performance for the King and Queen. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The King and Queen were given a tour of the kindergarten. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

There is a long standing cooperation between Chinese and Norwegian scientists on quality and teaching in day care centres. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The tour of the kindergarten was followed by a seminar on kindergarten education. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The following morning The King and Queen visited the famous Mogao Caves. Photo: Tom Hansen / hansenfoto.no

Many tourist wish to visit the Mogao Caves listed by UNESCO as part of the World Cultural Heritage. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Surrounded by desert, the Mogao Caves have survived sandstorms and other harsh weather conditions for more than 1 500 years. Now they face a new challenge: the large increase in the number of tourists seeking to experience the place. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

There are more than 45 000 square meters of murials and 2 000 painted sculptures in the Mogao Caves. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The King and Queen received a tour of several of the caves. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The caves are home to one of the largest collections of Buddhist art, sculpture and architecture in the world. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The King and Queen had wished to experience this amazing place for a long time. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The King and Queen had wished to experience this amazing place for a long time. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The King and Queen also met Norwegian media by the Mugao Caves. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The visit ended with lunch in the pagoda at Yueyaquan, a crescent-shaped freshwater spring in the desert outside Dunhuang. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Cresent moon lake and the pagoda lies among the sand dunes outside Dunhuang. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Cresent moon lake and the pagoda lies among the sand dunes outside Dunhuang. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

From Dunhuang The King and Queen travelled to the capital city of Beijing. A Chinese honour guard greets the King and Queen upon arrival. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

In Beijing welfare development was first on the agenda. King Harald opened the Sino-Norwegian Symposium for Social Disciplines at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

King Harald and Minster of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide both spoke at the opening of the symposium. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The Chinese authorities are encouraging wider participation in winter sports in the period leading up to the Olympic Games hosted by China in 2022. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

A roller skis event took place outside the famous sports venue of Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

King Harald and Queen Sonja in front of the Bird’s Nest. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

King Harald and Queen Sonja met both Chinese and Norwegian athletes. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

Ragnar Andresen, a world champion roller skier, is an instructor for the Chinese national cross-country ski team. Along with ski champion Bente Skari, among others, he took part in the sports activities outside the "Bird's Nest". Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Birgit Skarstein and Bente Skari were among the athletes promoting winter sports in Beijing today. Photo: Tom Hansen/hansenfoto.no

In the evening King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted a large Norwegian-Chinese friendship dinner attended by some 300 guests. Queen Sonja welcomed the guests. Photo: Tom Hansen/hansenfoto.no

Alan Walker and Julie Bergan are welcomed by The King and Queen. The artists will performe during tonight's friendship dinner. Norwegian-British Alan Walker is currently the most streamed musical artist in China. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

Baritone Liao Changyong won the Queen Sonja International Music Competition in 1997. Photo: Tom Hansen/hansenfoto.no

A Thai Chi and Kungfu performance was part of the entertainment. Photo: Tom Hansen/hansenfoto.no

Elbjørg Hemsing played music by Edvard Grieg. Photo: Tom Hansen/hansenfoto.no

16 October King Harald opened the Norway-China Business Summit 2018, Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

A total of 24 new business agreements were signed as part of the conference. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

One of the agreements establishes the first airline route between Norway and China. Hainan Airlines will fly three times a week between Oslo and Beijing. The agreement was signed by Tan Xiangdong, on behalf of Hainan Airlines, and Øyvind Hasaas, Managing Director of Oslo Airport. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix.

The King and Queen are visiting the People's Republic of China at the invitation of His Excellency President Xi Jinping. 16 October they were welcomed in a formal ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People located in Tiananmen Square. At the start of the ceremony, The King and Queen laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix.

The King and Queen laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix.

The King and Queen laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix.

The King and Queen were welcomed by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan. Foto: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The King and Queen were welcomed by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan. Foto: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

The King and Queen were welcomed by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan. Foto: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

King Harald inspected the Guard of Honour, accompanied by the President. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

A Guard of Honour from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army formed the backdrop for the welcoming ceremony. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

A Guard of Honour from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army formed the backdrop for the welcoming ceremony. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Official photographs were taken in the Great Hall of the People. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB Scanpix

The King and Queen took the Transrapid train from Beijing to Shanghai for the last part of the state visit. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

First on their agenda was a meeting with the city’s Norwegian community. Between 300 to 400 Norwegians live in the Shanghai area. Photo: Tim Haukenes

Norwegian-Chinese violinists Sara and Catharina Chen gave a short concert for the guests. Photo: Tim Haukenes

Norwegian-Chinese violinists Sara and Catharina Chen gave a short concert for the guests. Photo: Tim Haukenes

The King and Queen had the opportunity to meet several of the Norwegians who have settled in the Shanghai area along with their families. Photo: Tim Haukenes

King Harald and Queen Sonja also had a meeting with local government officials. Photo: Tim Haukenes

The next morning, King Harald opened the conference "China and Norway - An Ocean of Opportunities". Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix.

Eleven new agreements between Norwegian and Chinese companies were signed at the conference. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix.

After the conference, the King and Queen met with Chinese and Norwegian media. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix.

There was a big turnout. Photo: Tim Haukanes

With a view overlooking the famous Pudong skyline in Shanghai. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide and Minister of Trade and Industry Torbjørn Røe Isaksen accompany The King and Queen during the state visit. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

The Norwegian company Marine Harvest opened a new seafood processing plant in Shanghai. Minister of Trade and Industry Torbjørn Røe Isaksen and Marine Harvest Chairman of the Board Ole-Eirik Lerøy (centre) took part in the opening ceremony. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix.

King Harald and Jack Ma at today's major conference. The Chinese industrial magnate also attended the opening of the new Marine Harvest plant. Marine Harvest has entered into an agreement with Jack Ma's company Alibaba on distribution to Chinese consumers. Photo: Tim Haukanes

Elias The Little Rescue Boat was also in Shanghai. The children’s series about Elias is broadcast on Chinese television. Photo: Tim Haukenes.

Last day of the state visit. Pupils at UWC Changshu waiting to greet the King and Queen. Photo: Tim Haukenes.

UWC Changshu is situated on an island in the Yangtze River Delta. The Queen was given a guided tour of the campus. Photo: Tim Haukenes

The King and Queen with Mark Jiapeng Wang, founder of UWC Changshu and himself a UWC alumnus. Photo: Tom Hansen, hansenfoto.no

King Harald during the visit to UWC Changshu. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix

Queen Sonja plants a tree on the campus grounds together with Mark Jiapeng Wang, Chair of the UWC National Committee, and Principal Pelham Lindfield Roberts. Photo: Tim Haukenes

The final press conference of the State Visit took place on the UWC campus. Photo: Tim Haukenes.

Group picture from the visit. Photo: Tim Haukenes.

The King and Queen concluded their State Visit at one of China’s most beautiful classical gardens - the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou. Photo: Tom Hansen, hansenfoto.no

The garden’s founder, Wang Xian Cheng, was an imperial envoy during the Ming Dynasty. Photo: Tim Haukenes

Founded in 1509, the Humble Administrator’s Garden is known as “the mother of all Chinese gardens”. Photo: Tim Haukenes

Touring the Humble Administrator’s Garden. Photo: Tom Hansen, hansenfoto.no

The visit was the last of the state visit and concluded ten eventful days in China. Photo: Heiko Junge, NTB scanpix