Wen hails Geely-Volvo merger as 'example of success'

GOTHENBURG, Sweden - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday visited China-owned but Gothenburg-based Volvo Cars Corporation, where he hailed the combination of Geely and Volvo as an "example of success" for cooperation between the two nations' enterprises.

Wen said such cooperation was conducted on the basis of mutual benefit, adding that it was cooperation not only in capital, but also in technology, management and market, and was sincere people-to-people communication and exchanges as well.

The premier urged the two carmakers to further promote a more fruitful cooperation and help to deepen China-Sweden trade ties by upholding the spirit of mutual understanding, tolerance and support.

Wen also watched a car crash test and the assembly lines.

Volvo Cars Corporation, hit by a global financial crisis, was acquired in 2010 by Geely Holding Group, a privately-owned Chinese automaker.

Sweden is the third leg of Wen's four-nation tour in Europe, which has already taken him to Iceland and Germany. He will also travel to Poland.