Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö via video link in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on January 10, 2024 (Xinhua News Agency/Liu Bin)
BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto via video link on Wednesday.
President Xi said that Finland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and has adhered to a friendly policy toward China for many years. “In particular, I would like to thank President Niinistö for his active efforts to promote Finland’s substantial cooperation with China and friendly exchanges in various fields.”
President Xi said that relations between China and Finland have maintained steady development in recent years, and cooperation has deepened in areas such as forestry, agricultural products, food, information and communications, energy, environmental protection, science and technology, education, and winter sports. He said there was. , bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.
China-Finland relations have always maintained good development momentum. The fundamental reason for this is that both sides uphold the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said.
China will share development opportunities with Finland, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen the future-oriented new type of cooperative partnership between the two countries, strengthen cooperation in international affairs, jointly advocate multilateralism, and promote free trade. We want to actively contribute to the protection and national security of Japan. Xi said he would achieve world peace and stability and promote the modernization of all countries around the world.
President Xi pointed out that in the current turbulent international situation, the strategic importance and global influence of China-EU relations have become more prominent, and China is looking forward to cooperating with Finland and other European countries. He said they were ready to look at each other from a strategic and long-term perspective. Protect and develop China-EU relations and achieve common development.
Mr. Niinistö said that he still vividly remembers President Xi’s two visits to Finland and China, and that all of their interactions have left a deep impression on him.
He added that the future-oriented new type of cooperation partnership jointly announced by Finland and China has maintained a healthy development momentum and achieved positive results in cooperation in various fields.
Niinistö said that Finland and China have carried out healthy cooperation even during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that China’s development has achieved remarkable results and the living standards of the Chinese people are constantly improving.
Mr. Niinistö expressed Finland’s intention to further leverage the potential with China to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote new developments in Finland-China and EU-China relations, adding that Finland also consults with China on international and regional affairs. He added that the two countries stand ready to maintain close communication and jointly address the global situation. assignment.
The two leaders also exchanged New Year’s greetings. Niinisto wished the Chinese people a happy and prosperous New Year. ■
Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö via video link in the Chinese capital, Beijing, January 10, 2024 (Xinhua News Agency/Huang Jingwen)