国内英语新闻:Chinese vice premier outlines guidelines for boosting Sino-Finnish relations

HELSINKI, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Friday outlined guidelines for boosting Sino-Finnish relations in political, economic and social fields.

    Politically, top leaders and senior officials of China and Finland should continue to frequently visit each other to improve the mechanism for bilateral cooperation, said Li while meeting with Finnish President Tarja Halonen.

Economically, the two countries should make good use of their respective competitive advantages which compliment each other to deepen their pragmatic cooperation in business, environment, energy and other fields, he said.

    Socially, China and Finland should promote exchanges in culture, education, health, tourism and other fields to build a stronger social base for their bilateral relations, he added.

Finnish President Tarja Halonen (R Front) meets with Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (L Front) in Helsinki, June 25, 2009

    Li also called for enhanced communications and consultations between the two countries in international affairs.

    On China-EU relations, Li said that China has always been committed to developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with EU and Sino-EU relationship was of strategic importance in China's foreign policy.

    Both China and EU should cherish the hard-earned good relationship between the two sides, make dialogue and cooperation as its cornerstone, base it on mutual respect and equality, and maintain the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences.

    Li said China appreciates the efforts Finland has made to promote the healthy development in China-EU relations and hopes Finland will continue to play a constructive role in enhancing the political mutual trust between China and EU and pushing for closer China-EU cooperation.

    For her part, Halonen said that both Finland and China value their relationship, adding that communication and cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational and social fields have been going on smoothly, which has a positive impact on bilateral relations.

    Finland has attached great importance to its relations with China and is willing to be a positive force in shaping EU-China relationship, she told Li.

    She also said that the Finnish government and companies would actively participate in the 2010 World Expo to be held in Shanghai, China.

    The Finnish president extended an invitation through Li to her Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao for visiting Finland when the Chinese top leader feels convenient.

    Li arrived in Helsinki on Thursday for a three-day official visit to the northern European nation.