Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen met a visiting top official of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Thursday and both sides voiced readiness to enhance bilateral ties.

Li Zhaozhuo, vice chairman of the CPPCC national committee, told Vanhanen that China is ready to join efforts with Finland to lift bilateral ties to new heights.

China will continue to expand cooperation with Finland in economy, trade, environmental protection and energy conservation, and enhance exchanges in the fields such as culture, education and technology, said Li, who is to conclude his four-day visit to the country Thursday.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950, both sides have witnessed stable development in bilateral ties under the guidance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Since then, high-level contacts between the two countries have become closer, political mutual trust has been enhanced, fruitful achievements have been made in cooperation in economy and trade, and a rapid growth rate in trade has been witnessed, Li said.

Meanwhile, great results have been achieved in exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, technology, the military and law, the vice chairman said.

Li also appreciated Finland's position of sticking to the one China policy.

Vanhanen spoke highly of the ties between the two countries, saying Finland is willing to work with China to further push the development of bilateral ties forward.

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2007)