Jiang was speaking in Beijing Tuesday at talks with visiting Finnish President Tarja Halonen who arrived here Tuesday morning for a three-day state visit as Jiang's guest.

China and Finland should further their cooperation in telecommunications, forestry, paper-making and environmental protection, said Jiang, noting that Finland has the advantage over China in those fields.

The two countries should also make full use of their cultural resources to expand cultural exchanges to boost understanding and friendship between their peoples, added Jiang.

He said China and Finland have enjoyed good relations since they established diplomatic ties 52 years ago. Bilateral ties have experienced a period of comprehensive and rapid development in recent years.

He pointed to the close political relations, constant contacts between leaders of the two countries and much consensus on major international issues.

The two countries have also achieved fruitful results in their cooperation in such fields as economics, trade, science, technology, law enforcement, culture and education, Jiang said.

He cited as an example of the rapid development of bilateral trade the Finnish company Nokia which has taken an important share of China's telecommunications market.

Jiang Zemin noted that the two peoples have a deep friendship despite their geographic distance and different environments and political and economic systems.

Leaders of both countries also have supported the growth of bilateral relations from a long-term perspective, and the two countries have always enhanced mutual understanding and expanded consensus through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and equality, he said.

China-Finland ties can be taken as an example, Jiang said, expressing his appreciation for the Finnish government's adherence to the one-China position.

Briefing Halonen on the just-concluded 16th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and China's achievements, Jiang said this is a colorful world and countries with different systems should learn from each other through dialogue and should seek common development.

Halonen extended her congratulations on the success of the congress, saying Finland is glad to see China's great achievements and rich experience in various fields like politics, economics, democracy, legal system and human rights.

She said long-term stability is an important factor in China's economic growth and social progress.

She spoke highly of the continuous development in bilateral friendship and cooperation in various fields in recent years, and hoped for more understanding and reciprocal cooperation between the two sides to benefit both peoples.

Before the talks, Jiang presided over a welcoming ceremony for Halonen.

(People's Daily November 26, 2002)