Official encourages more active SME co-op with Finland

A visiting senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Thursday urged Chinese and Finnish small and medium-sized enterprises to carry out more active cooperation.

"Finnish SMEs have unique advantage in technology innovation," said Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, at a meeting here with Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen.

"We should encourage the small and medium-sized companies from the two countries to carry out more active cooperation, so as to fill in the content of a brand new partnership between China and Finland, and promote bilateral relations," said Liu.

China has been Finland's biggest trading partner in Asia for 11 years, and Finland has become China's important technology partner in Europe.

Last year Finnish President Sauli Niinisto visited China and agreed with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the establishment of a future-oriented cooperative partnership.

To further implement the consensus, Liu eyed an expanded cooperation between the two countries on culture creativity, high-end service, clean energy, as well as efficiency and environmental protection.

Liu's suggestion was echoed by Katainen, who stressed that it will be an important part of the overall cooperation to increase the SME's motivation.

Although the two countries have differences, the prime minister said, they are facing similar challenges. The two sides should enhance cooperation in education, scientific research and environmental technologies, added Katainen.

Liu arrived in Helsinki on Thursday for a three-day visit to Finland.