国内英语新闻:Chinese defense chief says willing to strengthen military cooperation with Finland

HELSINKI, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan on Saturday wrapped up a visit to Finland aimed at boosting bilateral military cooperation, saying China is willing to strengthen military cooperation with the Nordic country.

China and Finland are enjoying sound momentum in the development of their military-to-military relations, Chang said in a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in the western city of Naantali on Friday.

The armed forces of the two countries have maintained frequent high-level contact, their dialogue and exchange mechanisms are running smoothly, and their cooperation in professional areas has borne rich fruit, Chang added.

China, he said, stands ready to work with the Finnish side to explore new forms and enrich the content of bilateral cooperation on the basis of the existing achievements, so as to lift their military ties to higher levels.

Niinisto, recalling that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to launch a future-oriented cooperative partnership between the two countries, pointed out that bilateral relations are now enjoying new opportunities.

With bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy, culture and defense growing ever closer, he said, Finland is willing to improve coordination and communication with China on such subjects as climate change and counter-terrorism, with a view to jointly safeguarding world peace and prosperity.

During his three-day official visit to Finland, which came upon the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Finland, Chang also held talks with Finnish Defense Minister Jussi Niinisto.

Chang arrived in Finland after attending a defense ministers' meeting under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Russia's St. Petersburg.

In St. Petersburg, Chang stated that China is willing to work closely with other SCO members to foster a sound and steady development of defense and security cooperation within the bloc.