Xi encourages more Sino-Finnish cooperation in emerging industries

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Finnish President Alexander Stubb, on a state visit to China, at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, October 29, 2024. Xi s is spoken to Stubb in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — China welcomes Finland to actively participate in China's modernization process and expand cooperation in emerging industries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks during his talks with visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

He called on the two sides to expand cooperation in the fields of green transformation, information technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy, and build a new cooperation model mutually. beneficial in the new era.

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.

“As the world experiences accelerated changes unprecedented in a century and the risks and challenges facing humanity increase, the new type of forward-looking cooperative partnership between China and Finland takes on of exceptional value and should be cherished and developed,” Xi said.

China-Finland practical cooperation got off to an early start, yielded fruitful results and demonstrated great potential, he said.

China is willing to further expand people-to-people exchanges with Finland and has decided to implement a unilateral visa-free policy for Finland, he added, noting that China welcomes more Finnish friends visiting for business, tourism and studies.

Xi said China and Finland love peace and advocate multilateralism and free trade, adding that China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Finland on climate change, biodiversity conservation, global sustainable development, artificial intelligence governance and other issues.

Noting that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), Xi called on Finland to continue to play an active role in promoting healthy and stable Sino-European relations.

Stubb said he was very happy to visit China soon after taking office and to meet Xi again after 14 years.

He noted that the global landscape has changed profoundly since their last meeting and China has made remarkable achievements.

Finland adheres to the one-China policy and is ready to hold a good celebration with China of the 75th anniversary of its diplomatic relations next year, Stubb said.

He added that Finland will work with China to deepen practical cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, green energy and sustainable development.

Finland appreciates the major initiatives and concepts proposed by China to address global challenges and will advance multilateral exchanges and coordination with China, Stubb said.

The economies of the EU and China are closely interconnected, and “decoupling” or a “new Cold War” is not in the interests of either party, Stubb said, noting that Finland is ready to play an active role in promoting the rational development of the EU. EU-China relations.

The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukrainian crisis and the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Xi expressed China's willingness to work with all relevant parties, including Finland, to continue to play a positive role in promoting a peaceful resolution of the crises.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple documents on bilateral cooperation in areas such as education, water resources, environmental protection, circular economy and products agricultural and food.

The two sides released the China-Finland Joint Action Plan to promote a new forward-looking cooperative partnership 2025-2029.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Finnish President Alexander Stubb, on a state visit to China, at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, October 29, 2024. Xi s is spoken to Stubb in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Finnish President Alexander Stubb, on a state visit to China, at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, October 29, 2024. Xi s is spoken to Stubb in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Finnish President Alexander Stubb, on a state visit to China, at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, October 29, 2024. Xi s is spoken to Stubb in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Finnish President Alexander Stubb, on a state visit to China, at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, October 29, 2024. Xi s is spoken to Stubb in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and his wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb ahead of talks between Xi and Stubb at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, October 1 2017. December 29, 2024. Xi held talks in Beijing on Tuesday with Stubb, who is on a state visit to China. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, October 29, 2024. Xi held talks with Stubb in Beijing on Tuesday. . After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several documents relating to bilateral cooperation. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, October 29, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]