Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the relationship between China and Finland, describing it as a model for diplomatic relations between the two countries, during his talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb here on Tuesday.
“At a time when the world is witnessing rapid changes unparalleled in a century, and the risks and challenges facing human society are increasing, the new future-oriented cooperative partnership between China and Finland holds exceptional value and should be cherished and developed,” Xi told Staab. In the Great Hall of the People.
Xi noted that Finland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and the first Western country to sign an intergovernmental trade agreement with China.
Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Finland have always enjoyed friendly relations based on mutual respect and trust, setting a good example of the relations between the two countries that transcend historical, cultural and institutional differences and promote equal exchanges.
He added that China is willing to work with Finland to enhance strategic cooperation, carry forward the friendly tradition, and further enhance the cooperative partnership so as to better benefit the two countries and the two peoples and make new contributions to world peace and development.
Xi said that the long-term sound and stable development of China-Finland relations is primarily due to the two countries’ commitment to mutual respect and equal treatment and accommodating each other’s core interests and major concerns.
China welcomes Finland to actively participate in China’s modernization process, expand cooperation with China in emerging industries such as green transformation, information technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and new energy, and build a new model of mutually beneficial cooperation for both countries. Added in the new era.
China is willing to further expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges with Finland, Xi said, adding that China has decided to include Finland in the unilateral visa exemption policy, and welcomes more Finnish citizens to come to China for work, tourism and study.
He added that China and Finland cherish peace and support multilateralism and free trade.
Xi said China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Finland on issues such as climate change, biodiversity protection, global sustainable development and artificial intelligence governance.
He added that the two countries should work together to maintain global peace and stability, and promote the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world and globally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
Noting that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, Xi said he hopes Finland will continue to play a positive role in promoting the sound and stable development of China-EU relations and ensuring mutual promotion. The common development between China and Finland and the relations between China and the European Union.
Staub said Finland and China have always respected each other, treated each other sincerely, and maintained dialogue on an equal footing over the past 74 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. He added that bilateral relations have developed positively, with expanded areas of cooperation and fruitful results.
Finland adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China next year, enhance high-level exchanges, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and deepen practical cooperation in areas such as trade. Green energy and sustainable development, Staub said.
He added that the Finnish side appreciates China’s commitment to the principle of equality between countries, regardless of their size, and the major initiatives proposed by the Chinese President to confront various global challenges.
Finland appreciates China’s influence and the stable and constructive role it plays in international affairs, and stands ready to strengthen multilateral communications and coordination with China to contribute to global peace and stability, Stubb said.
The economic relations between the EU and China are closely interconnected, and neither “decoupling” nor “new cold war” serves the interests of either side, he said, adding that Finland is ready to play an active role in promoting smooth development between the EU and China. Relationships.
During Tuesday’s talks, the two leaders exchanged views in-depth on issues such as the Ukrainian crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Xi made clear China’s principled position and expressed his willingness to work with relevant parties, including Finland, to continue to play a positive role in promoting the peaceful resolution of these crises.
Following the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements between China and Finland in areas such as education, water resources, environmental protection, circular economy and agricultural products.
The two sides also issued a joint action plan to promote the future-oriented new cooperative partnership between China and Finland in the period 2025-2029.