China ready to expand cooperation with Finland in green transition, AI

China is ready to work with Finland in the spirit of openness and win-win cooperation to implement the Joint Action Plan between China and Finland, expand trade and investment, and broaden cooperation in such areas as green transition, scientific and technological innovation and artificial intelligence (AI), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday, reported Xinhua.

The Chinese Foreign Minister made the remarks during talks with Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen in Helsinki during his visit to Finland.

Promoting green and low-carbon development is a longstanding policy of the Chinese government, while Finland enjoys unique strengths in sustainable development and innovation, Wang added.

Wang said Finland was among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with New China and the first Western country to sign an intergovernmental trade agreement with China.

Over the past 76 years since diplomatic relations were established, China-Finland ties have remained at the forefront of China's bilateral relations with Nordic countries, setting an example of equal exchanges between countries with different social systems and cultural backgrounds, Wang said.

Noting that the establishment of the future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership between China and Finland in 2017 fully demonstrated the forward-looking and innovative nature of bilateral relations, Wang underscored that no matter how the international landscape evolves, China is willing to respect each other and treat Finland as equals and continue to be trusted partners to each other.

Wang also said China appreciates Finland's adherence to the one-China principle and stands ready to strengthen exchanges with the Finnish side at all levels to consolidate mutual trust and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Wang said China is willing to conduct dialogue with the European side on the basis of mutual respect, but emphasized that trade and investment consultation mechanism should not be used as a tool for unilateral pressure.

He expressed the hope that Finland will play an active role in promoting the sound and steady development of China-Europe relations.

For her part, Valtonen said Finland and China enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges.

Finland was among the first Western countries to recognize New China and has consistently adhered to the one-China policy, she said, adding that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have always respected and trusted each other.

Valtonen also said Finland highly appreciates President Xi Jinping's vision that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and is willing, in the spirit of keeping pace with the times and mutual benefit, to further tap the potential for cooperation with China in green and low-carbon development, trade and investment, health care, the digital economy and climate change.

Furthermore, she noted China is an important partner in addressing key global challenges, adding that Finland is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on multilateral platforms including the United Nations, and looks forward to constructive dialogue between Europe and China and substantive outcomes.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.