The relationship has grown increasingly tense across multiple fronts: trade barriers, human rights concerns, Sweden’s ban on Chinese 5G suppliers, China’s rare earth and graphite export controls, and most notably, Gui’s ongoing detention. Reporters Without Borders declared that the only acceptable outcome of the foreign minister’s trip would be for Gui to accompany the minister on the plane home. Instead, the meeting’s main outcome was an offer of visa-free travel for Swedes to “experience the real China.”
This reflects Beijing’s broader narrative strategy. “Have you been to China?” as Foreign Minister Wang Yi snapped at a Canadian journalist in response to a critical question about human rights. “Real China” is a country far beyond inquisitive journalists and free media, with steady economic growth, high-tech leadership, political stability, and social harmony.
Xinhua’s readout of the meeting exemplified China’s diplomatic playbook, emphasizing that both countries should “uphold their positioning as partners rather than rivals” and “adhere to the principle of cooperation outweighing differences.” Translation: don’t let disagreements over Gui Minhai, Taiwan, or “the Ukraine crisis” obstruct business opportunities.
Beijing’s interpretation of the meeting was telling. According to Chinese media, Sweden confirmed that it adheres to the one-China policy, expressed gratitude for travel opportunities, praised China’s international role, and conveyed support for open and free trade, dialogue and cooperation.
This selective summary – which left out Gui Minhai and the fact that there is no consensus on what precisely “the one-China policy” is – mirrors China’s 2016 “normalisation” statement with Norway after a six-year freeze over the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to dissident Liu Xiaobo.
Wang Yi’s call to “bring bilateral relations back on track” suggests Beijing expects a similar capitulation from Stockholm—essentially an apology for allowing the Gui Minhai “obstacle” to impede cooperation. This follows China’s standard diplomatic playbook: blame the other party, position China as victim, offer reconciliation sweetened with flattery about Sweden’s importance, while implying vague “consequences” for non-compliance.
Having successfully pressured Norway and others into one-sided reconciliation statements, Beijing likely expects Sweden to follow suit. The outcome of this diplomatic dance will signal whether small European nations can maintain principled positions towards China, or whether short-term economic pragmatism will ultimately prevail.
This is a shorter, adapted version of a longer article published in Swedish in Kvartal on 29 October 2025.
