Beijing yesterday rolled out the red carpet to welcome Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who is on a four-day official visit to China to boost expanding bilateral ties.

Premier Wen Jiabao received Vanhanen at the Great Hall of the People and noted his appreciation of Finland's positive policies towards China.

He said the Chinese side cherishes China-Finland friendship, and believes there are extensive prospects for co-operation between the two countries.

Vanhanen said his country enjoys booming development in areas such as environmental protection, energy saving technologies and construction, and is looking for further co-operation in such areas with China.

The two leaders also stressed the need to make joint efforts to enhance Sino-European Union (EU) relations.

Vanhanen's visit is part of the preparations for Finland's upcoming EU presidency.

Finland is to host the Asian-European Meeting (ASEM) this September in Helsinki and prior to that the prime minister is scheduled to preside over a summit meeting focusing on bilateral relations between China and the EU.

Vanhanen said he is expecting Premier Wen to join him at these meetings, and he pledged to push forward Sino-EU extensive co-operation during Finland's presidency.

"China is willing to take part in Sino-EU co-operation with a more active attitude to promote a stable, healthy and long-term development of bilateral ties," Wen said, promising to play a positive supporting role at ASEM.

The Finnish delegation also includes senior managers of major Finnish companies, led by Antti Herlin, chairman of the board of KONE Corporation, a leading elevator and escalator company, as well as Minister for Social Affairs and Health Tuula Haatainen.

According to sources from the Finnish side, Haatainen is to sign a work safety protocol today.

China is Finland's largest trading partner in Asia. There are already over 200 Finnish companies operating in China and over 50 are engaged in production.

Source: China Daily