Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met Friday in Helsinki with Paavo Tapio Lipponen, speaker of the Parliament of Finland, and other party leaders in the parliament.

Wu, also secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC Central Committee, said Finland is one of the first western countries to forge diplomatic relations with China and bilateral ties have been progressing smoothly through joint efforts, since the two countries established diplomatic ties 55 years ago.

Especially in the recent years, he said, the two sides have increasingly cooperated with each other in the cultural, educational, scientific, technological and justice fields, and the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, have undertaken close contacts with the parliament of Finland.

Wu said China is willing to work with Finland to further expand cooperation fields and deepen cooperation contents, so as to push forward the development of Sino-Finnish relations.

Speaking highly of the inter-party friendship, he said the CPC is willing to continue to strengthen the friendly cooperation with all Finnish parties, in a bid to promote the relations between the two nations.

Lipponen said in recent years, the Finland-China ties are advancing in a good manner, as exchanges of high-level visits are frequent, the economic cooperation has entered into a win-win status, and the fast growing trade has brought practical benefits to the two peoples.

He reiterated Finland's One China policy, saying the friendly relations between the two nations will continue to score new progress.

Also on Friday, Wu met with Finland's new Justice Minister Leena Luhtanen and had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of common concern.

Later Friday, Wu visited the headquarters of Nokia, the Finnish telecommunications giant.

Wu flied to Finland Thursday, the third leg of his four-nation good-will visit to Europe, which has taken him to Malta and Sweden and will finally take him to Belarus, before flying back to Beijing on Sept. 28.

He is expected to conclude his Finnish tour before leaving for Belarus Sunday afternoon.

Source: Xinhua