Finland Times

 

File picture of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen. Photo - Lehtikuva

The Finnish Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen visiting China on Tuesday said that Finnish-Chinese cooperation in the field of environment technology would create significant opportunities for Finnish companies to help resolve environmental problems in China, said an official press release.

 

 “By 2015, China intends to invest USD 1,000 billion in measures to improve the state of the environment. It will create significant opportunities for Finnish businesses,” said Katainen while addressing a seminar in Beijing.

 

The Prime Minister said, "Environmental problems incur substantial costs to China and endanger the country's economic growth while the foundation for Finnish-Chinese cooperation in the field has already been laid. Currently, the total value of cleantech trade between our countries amounts to almost one billion euro."

 

The Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen, Environment Minister Ville Niinistö and a delegation of thirty Finnish clean-tech companies, who are visiting China on Tuesday participated in the seminar which focused on ways of resolving China's serious environmental problems.

 

The aim of the Team Finland trade mission in China is to present Finland's clean-tech expertise and market Finnish innovations to curb and eliminate environmental problems.

 

During their visit, the Prime Minister-led delegation will also discuss the ‘Beautiful Beijing Project’ with the Chinese authorities.

 

Xinhua Adds:  Beijing municipal authorities are considering importing experience and clean technology from Finland to aid the city's fight against air pollution.

 

While attending the "Beautiful Beijing" Cleantech Cooperation Seminar on Monday, Ville Niinisto, Finland's Minister of Environment, said that Finland also experienced heavy industrial pollution in the 1970s, but swiftly changed to a cleaner growth path.

 

Finland's clean technology sector is currently worth about 15 to 20 billion euros, equal to one percent of the global clean technology market, according to Niinisto.

 

According to a newly released five-year clean air action plan, the often smog-shrouded Beijing pledged to reduce particle PM 2.5 density level of 2012 by 25 percent or more by 2017.

 

Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen said his country welcomes China's emission control goals and is willing to share Finland's experience on how to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

 

Li Junfeng, director of China's National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, said China definitely needs core technology for emission reduction and greener development.

 

He considers the "Beautiful Beijing" project an ideal platform for technology exchange as it was jointly launched by the Chinese Ministry of Environment Protection, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) and the environment authority of Beijing.

 

Under the project, Chinese and Finnish clean technology companies are expected to carry out research and pilot programs in five major sectors: energy production, building construction, traffic, energy efficiency in major industries and the monitoring of air quality.