On the afternoon of April 7, Zhao Leji, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, held talks with Jussi Halla - aho, the speaker of the Finnish parliament, in the Great Hall of the People.

Zhao Leji said that Finland is one of the first Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Last year, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Stubb, who paid a state visit to China, and reached important consensuses, jointly opening up a more promising and broader prospect for China - Finland relations. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Finland. China is willing to work with Finland to implement the important consensuses reached by the leaders of the two countries and promote the continuous development of the new - type cooperative partnership between China and Finland oriented towards the future.

Zhao Leji pointed out that the most important reason for the healthy and stable development of China - Finland relations is that the two sides have always adhered to mutual respect, equality, and taking into account each other's core interests and major concerns. The two sides should uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations and always view and develop the friendly cooperation between the two countries from a strategic height and a long - term perspective. It is hoped that Finland will abide by the one - China principle, understand and support China's legitimate right to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust between the two countries. China is further deepening overall reform and expanding high - level opening - up, which will bring new opportunities for the cooperation between the two countries. It is hoped that the two sides will expand cooperation and achieve mutual benefit and win - win results. China is willing to deepen exchanges with Finland in such fields as political parties, culture, and youth, and consolidate the public opinion foundation for bilateral relations. It is hoped that Finland will continue to play a positive role in promoting the mutual promotion and common development of China - Finland and China - EU relations.

Zhao Leji emphasized that the National People's Congress of China is willing to continue the traditional friendship with the Finnish parliament and closely carry out exchanges and cooperation among the senior leaders of the legislative bodies, special committees, bilateral friendship groups, and deputies to the National People's Congress and members of parliament. China and Finland have their own characteristics in national governance, development concepts, and innovation systems. The legislative bodies of the two countries can learn from each other in these aspects, give play to the functions of legislation and supervision, and jointly create a good and stable legal environment for the practical cooperation between the two countries; and strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral arenas such as the Inter - Parliamentary Union.

Zhao Leji introduced the situation of the whole - process people's democracy in China and expressed that the National People's Congress of China is willing to strengthen exchanges with the Finnish parliament in such aspects as the development of democracy and the improvement of the legal system.

Halla - aho said that China is a great country with a long - standing history and has remarkable development achievements in such fields as science and technology and innovation. Finland adheres to and will continue to pursue the one - China policy, believing that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It is willing to promote practical cooperation, safeguard free trade, and jointly address the challenges faced on the basis of mutual respect and trust. The Finnish parliament hopes to strengthen exchanges with the National People's Congress of China and play a positive role in deepening Finland - China relations.