Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo and his Finnish counterpart Paavo Tapio Lipponen vowed to enhance the two countries' relations during their meeting in Beijing on Monday.

"China is satisfied with the current Sino-Finnish ties and will make joint efforts with Finland to expand the cooperation to push forward bilateral ties and benefit the two peoples," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

Despite the drastic changes in international and respective domestic situations since China and Finland established diplomatic ties 54 year ago, the two countries have witnessed sound development of bilateral relations, Wu said, noting Finland was one of the first western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China.

"Especially after Chinese and Finnish top leaders exchanged visits in 1995, bilateral relationship has entered the best period," Wu said.

The two countries have had considerable economic and trade cooperation and such a cooperation is showing a strong momentum, Wu said, noting exchanges in cultural, educational, legislative and military aspects have been promoted constantly.

China appreciates the Finnish side for its adherence to the one-China policy, Wu said.

On parliamentary cooperation, Wu said the Chinese NPC is willing to keep close exchange and cooperation with the Finnish parliament in various aspects.

Both the Chinese NPC and Finnish parliament shoulder the responsibility for promoting democracy and legislation despite the two countries' difference in social and political systems, Wu said.

Lipponen, Finnish parliament speaker, told Wu that Finland-China ties have made positive progress in recent years and the two sides have conducted close cooperation in economic, cultural and legislative fields.

The practical cooperation with China in economic and trade aspects has brought about substantial benefits to Finland, he noted, saying Finland will adhere to the one-China policy when dealing with the Taiwan issue.

The Finnish delegation is paying an official goodwill visit to China at the invitation of Wu Bangguo.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2004)