Friday article: Sweden’s relationship with China at a crossroads

The government’s declaration of foreign policy from 2017 dedicates only 18 words to China. The new declaration, to be presented on Wednesday, coincides with a war of words between China and Sweden over the imprisoned publisher Gui Minhai and Sweden’s relationship with China is at a crossroads, writes DN’s Torbjörn Petersson.
In the most recent turn of events, Gui Minhai appeared in the Chinese media saying he was being used as a pawn by the Swedish government to create problems for China’s government. Previously, one of his colleagues, Lam Wing-kee has said that they were forced to read a script when they were arrested previously at the same time in 2015.
Foreign Minister Margot Wallström has sharpened her tone towards China recently. And since then, China has stepped up its attacks on Sweden. Petersson writes, “Challenging China is not without its risks. Norway experienced that when the Nobel Prize committee awarded the Chinese regime critic and author Liu Xiaobo the Peace Prize in 2010… China bullied Norway in all possible ways after Liu Xiaobo’s Nobel Prize.” He continues, “It is not unlikely that China could try and use the same kind of language of power if Sweden does not fall in line,” and adds that Sweden’s choice of direction may well be glimpsed in this year’s declaration of foreign policy.