Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö via video link in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on January 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China and Finland on Wednesday agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in global challenges and strengthen communication on international and regional affairs, as President Xi Jinping met with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto via video link. .
President Xi praised Finland for continuing to maintain a friendly policy toward China, and said that President Niinisto, in particular, is committed to promoting practical cooperation and friendly exchanges.
In 1950, Finland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
During President Xi’s state visit to the Nordic country in 2017, the two countries decided to establish a unique, future-oriented new type of cooperative partnership in China’s foreign relations.
President Xi said that the two countries have constantly deepened cooperation in areas such as forestry, agricultural products, food and winter sports in recent years, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples.
China is Finland’s third largest trading partner and fourth largest destination for foreign investment, and has been Asia’s largest trading partner for 20 consecutive years.
As China advances its modernization drive, President Xi said he is willing to share development opportunities with Finland, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and deepen partnership.
President Xi expressed his intention to cooperate with Finland and other European countries to maintain and develop China-European Union relations based on a strategic vision and long-term perspective.
Niinistö, who is completing his second six-year term as Finland’s president at the end of this month, made state visits to China in 2013 and 2019. Xi told President Xi Jinping on Wednesday that the two visits were fresh in his memory and he was glad to be there. He witnessed the positive results achieved by bilateral cooperation in all fields.
The Finnish president’s office said in a statement that the leaders also thoroughly discussed the global geopolitical situation, the need to combat climate change and cooperation in this field.
Niinistö thanked President Xi for the many important and candid bilateral discussions over the years, and said in a statement that he looked forward to continued high-level dialogue between the two countries.
mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn