OSLO -- Companies from China and Norway expressed hope to expand their thriving economic and trade cooperation at a high-level business conference on Thursday.

About 170 people, including more than 40 top business executives, attended an economic and trade conference in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of China-Norway diplomatic relations.

Energy, infrastructure, marine economy, telecommunications, seafood and winter sports businesses were among the hot topics at the conference jointly held by China's Ministry of Commerce and Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.

"China is undertaking a great transformation of its energy sector to meet the Paris Agreement and to improve global pollution," Eldar Saetre, president and CEO of Norway's multinational oil and gas company Equinor, told the meeting.

"This is also an area we will see shared interest and potential cooperation between our countries," he said.

Wang Dongjin, president of China National Offshore Oil Corporation, said the company hopes to expand its cooperation with Norwegian energy companies in the fields of offshore oil and gas, liquefied natural gas and renewable energy.

"Chinese and Norwegian energy companies should enhance their mutual trust and cooperation to bring a new future of green development," he said.

Sustainability is an area where China and Norway are taking steps during the past years, according to Helge Aasen, CEO of silicones and silicon solutions provider Elkem, and chairman of the board of the Federation of the Norwegian Industries.

Both countries are developing technology for green industries, including sustainable energy, he said.

Chinese infrastructure builders also want to expand their presence in Norway, a market known for its high standards.

"We have the confidence to meet the challenge and win Norwegians' recognition and trust with advanced technology, good operation and innovative management," said Song Hailiang, president of China Communications Construction Company, a transportation infrastructure group.

Yang Rugang, general manager of China's Sichuan Road and Bridge Group, expressed hope at the conference for the two countries to "sign their free trade agreement soon, so that more Chinese companies and Chinese workers can participate in projects here."

Yang's company participated in the construction of the Halogaland Bridge near Norway's northern port city of Narvik, the longest suspension bridge within the Arctic Circle and also the second largest bridge in the Nordic country.

Many Norwegian business executives have also said a free trade agreement between Norway and China will bring more opportunities to the business community.

China and Norway have completed 14 rounds of negotiations for a free trade agreement and "positive progress" has been made, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

The executives in both countries at the conference also called for improving market access and fair business environment.