Beijing, October 29th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Elina Valtonen, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Liu said, over the past 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Finland, bilateral relations have maintained strong development and the two sides have established the future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership. President Alexander Stubb is on a state visit to China, and President Xi Jinping will hold talks with him to jointly draw a blueprint for the development of China-Finland relations. Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Finland. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen communication and dialogue with the Finnish side, enhance political mutual trust, deepen cooperation in economy and trade and other fields, intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and push China-Finland relations to a new level.

Valtonen noted, Finland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Yesterday marked the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and China. President Stubb attaches great importance to relations with China. He is leading a large-scale delegation to visit China, hoping to have an in-depth exchange of views with the Chinese side on bilateral relations and other topics, promote cooperation in economy and trade and other fields, and advance the further development of Finland-China relations. The Finnish side is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side on international and regional affairs and jointly safeguard world peace and stability.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East.