China, Finland agree to further advance bilateral ties

China and Finland on Monday agreed to further lift bilateral ties through pragmatic cooperation and enhancing exchanges between legislative bodies. The pledge came as Finnish Parliament Speaker Maria Lohela met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and held talks with Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiang in Beijing. Li told Lohela China had always adhered to a policy of mutual respect and equality, which was an important principle in safeguarding world peace and multiculturalism. He said China was willing to enhance cooperation in the areas that Finland had advantages, such as innovation, clean energy, environmental protection and vocational education. Lohela said Finland was ready to work with China to take a long-term perspective to develop bilateral ties. Lohela said Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Finland last April consolidated and lifted bilateral ties. “The Finnish Parliament is willing to work with the NPC (National People’s Congress), to create a sound environment for bilateral cooperation in areas of economy and trade, culture, tourism, small and medium enterprises investment from a new starting point”, she said.