China and Finland are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, and they’re looking to strengthen their friendship even more. On Monday, Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with Jussi Halla-aho, the speaker of Finland’s parliament, in Beijing. They discussed ways to create a better legal environment for cooperation between the two countries.
Zhao expressed China’s readiness to work with Finland to implement the important agreements made by their heads of state. He emphasized that China hopes Finland will continue to support the one-China principle, understand and back China’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and help build mutual trust.
He mentioned that China’s ongoing reforms and plans to further open up its economy will bring new opportunities for both nations. Zhao highlighted the importance of deepening exchanges between political parties, as well as promoting cultural and youth interactions to strengthen the bond between their peoples.
“China hopes Finland will continue to play a positive role in promoting the development of China-Finland relations and China-Europe relations,” Zhao said. He added that the NPC is eager to maintain its traditional friendship with the Finnish parliament and enhance cooperation at various levels, including among specialized committees and legislative members.
Jussi Halla-aho praised China’s significant progress in areas like science and technology. He affirmed Finland’s commitment to the one-China policy, recognizing the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China.
Halla-aho emphasized Finland’s dedication to advancing practical cooperation, maintaining free trade, and addressing shared challenges based on mutual respect and trust. He expressed that the Finnish parliament looks forward to enhancing its engagement with China’s NPC to further deepen the ties between the two countries.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of learning from each other’s experiences in national governance, development concepts, and innovation systems. They aim to fulfill their legislative and supervisory roles to create a stable legal environment for practical cooperation and enhance coordination on international platforms.
This meeting marks a significant step in strengthening the partnership between China and Finland, opening doors for more collaboration and mutual understanding in the years to come.
