China, Finland sign deals on trade, protecting pandas and legislation

China and Finland agreed Wednesday to establish and promote a future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership, with both sides pledging to enhance political mutual trust and deepen pragmatic cooperation.

During talks between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto, the two heads of state stressed that to build a more forward-looking and strategic bilateral relationship that keeps pace with the times is in the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples.

The two leaders also attended a signing ceremony on a series of cooperative agreements on trade, protecting pandas, research and legislation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto jointly meet the press after their talks in Helsinki, Finland, April 5, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Duo]

After the signing ceremony, the two leaders issued a joint statement at Finland's Presidential Palace in Helsinki. 

China appreciates Finland's firm stance on the one-China policy, Xi noted. 

Speaking about cultural cooperation, Xi called for an enrichment of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, and for tourism to be encouraged. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki, Finland, April 5, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Rao Aimin]

Xi also said that both sides are seeking further bilateral cooperation in terms of winter sports. The two countries have agreed to define the year of 2019 as the year of China-Finland winter sports, said the president. 

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto spoke highly of China-Finland ties, vowing to continue developing bilateral relations and conducting frequent high-level communications. 

"We need to think fully about environmental protection when we boost the economy," he ‍stressed.