China and Finland Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
On Monday, Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with Jussi Halla-aho, Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, in Beijing. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen their countries’ cooperation and foster a more stable, favorable legal environment for practical partnership.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Finland. During their meeting, Zhao emphasized that both nations stand to benefit from a deeper and more robust relationship. He noted that China is ready to work with Finland to implement the strategic consensus reached by their heads of state. Their goal is to enhance the future-oriented, new-type cooperative partnership between the two nations.
Zhao called on Finland to continue upholding the one-China principle. He urged the Finnish government to support China’s legitimate rights in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zhao stressed that such actions would strengthen the political trust between the two countries. “China is committed to deepening its reforms and expanding its high-level opening-up. These efforts will offer new opportunities for bilateral cooperation,” he said.
Zhao highlighted several areas for future cooperation. He emphasized the importance of exchanges between political parties, culture, and youth. Strengthening these exchanges, Zhao believes, will help build public support for the relationship between China and Finland. China is also keen to enhance coordination between the two legislative bodies, which will play an important role in creating a favorable legal environment for practical cooperation.
The Chinese NPC Chairman also mentioned the importance of multilateral platforms. He believes the two legislative bodies can engage in mutual learning and exchange. By fulfilling their legislative functions, they will contribute to the stability and growth of bilateral relations. Zhao also expressed China’s willingness to strengthen its partnership with Finland in the development of democracy and the rule of law.
On the Finnish side, Speaker Jussi Halla-aho expressed his country’s commitment to advancing practical cooperation with China. He reaffirmed Finland’s stance on the one-China policy, stating that Finland recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. Halla-aho emphasized that Finland is focused on maintaining free trade and addressing global challenges with mutual respect and trust.
“Finland looks forward to enhancing its engagement with the NPC of China,” Halla-aho stated. He added that both nations share a common goal: to deepen Finland-China relations and contribute positively to broader international cooperation.
Halla-aho also praised China for its remarkable achievements in science, technology, and national governance. Finland, he affirmed, will continue to engage with China in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, fostering a stable environment for both countries’ continued growth.
The talks between Zhao and Halla-aho marked a significant step forward in China-Finland relations. They underscored both nations’ determination to strengthen political and legislative ties. The discussion also set the stage for more robust collaboration in key areas such as governance, democracy, and global cooperation.
Moving forward, both China and Finland will continue to build on their deep-rooted diplomatic ties. As they look to the future, both leaders expressed their hopes for a stronger, more stable relationship that benefits not only their respective countries but the broader international community.
The Chinese NPC and the Finnish Parliament both play essential roles in fostering bilateral ties. Their continued engagement is key to advancing shared interests in governance, trade, and international cooperation. By strengthening political and legal cooperation, China and Finland aim to create a more favorable environment for continued collaboration.
