Finland Times

Prime Minister  Juha  Sipilä hoped that Finland and China will strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, research and development, clean technology, environmental protection and medical services.

 Sipilä also appreciated the future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership, proposed by Finland President Sauli Niinistö and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

The Premier made the remarks at a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, who is now in Finland for a three-day visit from Friday.

 Liu has also met with President Sauli Niinistö and Speaker of the Parliament Maria Lohela.

 Niinistö said one of the important reasons for the steady cooperation is mutual respects between the two countries. He said Finland is willing to contribute to the "One Belt One Road" initiative launched by China.

Finland was one of the first western countries that recognized New China established in 1949, and the bilateral partnership has set up an example for countries with different national conditions and social systems to develop their cooperation, said Liu.

 Her visit coincides with the 65th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relationship between Finland and China.

 The visit featured an opening ceremony of the Focus China, an extensive showcase of Chinese arts and culture during the Helsinki Festival 2015.

 It is the first time that the 40-year-old Helsinki Festival launches a focus program on a certain country. "The move reflects Finns' interest in Chinese culture and the friendship between the two peoples," said Liu at the ceremony on Thursday.

Liu will conclude her visit in Finland on Sunday, and will then visit the Czech Republic and attend Sino-Central and Eastern Europe Health Ministers Forum.