China, Finland confirm establishment of future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership

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

China and Finland have agreed to build a more forward-looking strategic relationship, as the Chinese president continues his state visit in the nordic country.

The two countries upgraded their ties to the future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership in 2013, when Finland's President Sauli Niinisto paid a state visit to China.

The two leaders issued a joint declaration on Wednesday to confirm the establishment of a cooperative partnership across all sectors.

The joint declaration says the two countries have agreed to further expand and deepen cooperation to benefit the two peoples.

The cooperation covers two-way trade and investment, innovation, environmental protection and urbanization.

They also agreed to maintain high-level exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and trust.

President Xi Jinping elaborated further at a signing ceremony with the Finnish President

"The two sides will enhance communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, advance various multilateral agendas, promote world peace and stability and make the global governance system more fair and equitable. China and Finland will enhance cooperation within the framework of China-EU relations," said Xi.

He added the cooperation will promote connectivity between Asia and Europe:

"The two sides will step up efforts to synergize economic development strategies and expand cooperation in such areas such as innovation-driven development, green development, and coordinated development. The two sides stand ready to explore cooperation under the framework of China's 'Belt and Road initiative, and jointly promote the connectivity of the Euro-Asian continent."

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes and promote common development among all countries involved.

Xi said China and Finland will also seize the opportunity of Finland's rotating chairmanship of the Arctic Council to protect the vulnerable Arctic environment.

The Finnish President said the cooperative partnership will have a broad base, and his country will maintain frequent high-level exchanges and consultations.

“We will further promote bilateral investment; we will work to boost cooperation in energy, urbanization, forestry, transportation and communications, on top of exchanges in education and innovation. Our ties will cover all aspects of the society," added Niinisto.

The joint declaration said China and Finland are committed to working together to reduce or limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Taking the opportunity of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, China and Finland will promote exchanges in winter sports and cooperation in organizing the Olympic Games.

Finland has reaffirmed its commitment to the 'one China' policy.

China and Finland have enjoyed long-term friendship and cooperation since they forged diplomatic ties 67 years ago.

Finland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, and the first Western nation to sign an intergovernmental trade agreement with China.

Currently, China has been Finland's biggest trading partner in Asia for 14 years.

The Chinese president arrived in the Finnish capital of Helsinki on Tuesday for a state visit, the first by a Chinese head of state to the Nordic country in 22 years.

After Finland, the Chinese president will travel to Florida for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday and Friday.