Ｓｐｅｅｃｈ ｂｙ Ｆｏｒｍｅｒ Ｐｒｅｓｉｄｅｎｔ Ａｈｔｉｓａａｒｉ ｏｆ Ｆｉｎｌａｎｄ

I am honored to attend the festivities of the 50th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in Beijing. I am also happy to meet with so many old friends from my previous visits to China.

Let me first say a few words about the good and friendly relations between Finland and China， since they have brought me here. Finland was one of the first Western countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China and to establish diplomatic relations with it. Finland was also the first country to sign a long-term trade agreement with China. Ever since， the Finnish-Chinese relations have been cordial and constructive. Trade and investment have developed especially fast from the 1980s when China started its economic reform and opening-up policy.

All through these past decades Finland has upheld the one China policy which has contributed to the development of friendly relations between us and the People’s Republic of China.

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries has done a tremendous work in promoting friendly exchanges between China and other countries， including Finland， during the past 50 years. What has been important for Finland is that the relations of the Association and the Finnish-Chinese Society go also back 50 years. For example， most of the cultural co–operation that has been done between the two countries during this period has been based on the good relations between the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Finnish-Chinese Society. This cooperation has also provided a basis for the exchanges between the people of the two nations during the time when the international politics have not been favorable to them.

I would like to congratulate the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries on its 50th anniversary and wish that it continues to do its invaluable work in the field of good and friendly relations in the coming decades. This work becomes ever important as more and more people from foreign countries come to see China’s development， particularly in the context of Olympic Games 2008 and the Shanghai World Exhibition of 2010. I wish the Association the best of success in its valuable work!

Thank you for your attention.