China, Finland look to boost inter-parliamentary cooperation

（Xinhua）  08:48, June 14, 2013  

BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Finland on Friday agreed to further their inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The agreement was reached as visiting Finnish Parliament Speaker Eero Heinaluoma met with China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang and top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng, respectively, on Thursday afternoon in Beijing.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), highlighted the countries' bilateral cooperation that features mutual benefit and is based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, noting that such cooperation has laid a solid political foundation for the development of bilateral ties.

In April, leaders of the two countries reached an important consensus on constructing a new cooperative partnership, bringing the relationship between the two nations to a higher level, Zhang said, pledging that the NPC would make joint efforts with the Finnish parliament to maintain friendly exchanges at various levels on managing national development, democracy, legislature and the legal system.

Heinaluoma expressed his appreciation for China's achievements in its national development, praising China's active role in dealing with global issues and vowing to further exchanges and cooperation between the Finnish parliament and the NPC.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), gladly recalled his recent visit to Finland and hailed China-Finland cooperation in the fields of trade, education, science and technology, and culture.

China is willing to step up its cooperation with Finland on environmental protection, green development and Arctic affairs, Yu told Heinaluoma.

In regards to recent disputes between China and the European Union (EU) over the EU's provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panels, Yu expressed his appreciation for Finland's adherence to the principle of free trade and its opposition to trade protectionism.

He noted that China will try to resolve the disputes with the EU through dialogues, and he hopes Finland will continue to play an active role in helping to resolve the issue.

Heinaluoma extended his congratulations to China for its successful launch of the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft.

He also vowed to boost ties between the two parliaments and the two nations.