The Communist Party of China (CPC) is willing to step up friendly ties with various Finnish political parties including the Finnish Social Democratic Party (FSDP), said a senior CPC official on Wednesday.

Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a meeting with the visiting FSDP's chairman Eero Heinaluoma in the Great Hall of the People.

Wu said that Finland was one of the first western countries to forge diplomatic relations with China, noting that bilateral friendly cooperation had achieved progress in the cultural, educational, science and technological, and judiciary fields. He added that the two countries also increased mutual political trust and promoted economic and trade cooperation.

"China attaches great importance to China-Finland relations and will make efforts to push the ties to a higher level," Wu stressed.

Wu spoke positively on the role played by Chinese and Finnish political parties to boost bilateral relations and further the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Wu also briefed the guests about China's economic and social development.

Heinaluoma, who is also the Finnish Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, spoke highly of the current development of the bilateral ties, noting that the friendly ties between the two countries and two peoples have developed smoothly despite the changing international situation.

Finland is very satisfied with bilateral cooperation in the political, trade and science and technological fields and believes the friendly and cooperative relations will progress well in the future, Heinaluoma said.

Source: Xinhua