Väyrynen considered that the visit was important for the countries' trade relations and evaluated that the trade and investment forum held in conjunction with the visit was the largest export event he ever participated in.

At the Forum on July 10th, about 240 representatives of Chinese companies and more than 300 representatives of Finnish companies were present. A high-level meeting was included in which companies in different sectors could form networks during that afternoon.


In his speech at the forum (Finland-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum) Väyrynen stressed that the timing of the event was right in this financial crisis. Väyrynen said that the forum sent a positive signal and showed that the most effective way to meet financial crisis challenges is to promote trade and investment and to form partnerships between companies. He also stressed the importance of free trade in the global economy, and wished that the financial crisis should not lead to protectionist measures.

Significant according to Väyrynen was also that Chinese companies are increasingly ready to invest abroad and seek foreign partners. In connection with the forum, six agreements between Chinese and Finnish companies were signed.

Minister Väyrynen and Vice Minister Gao also had bilateral talks during the visit. The meeting was also attended by Industry Minister Mauri Pekkarinen. The Ministers included barriers to trade with China and the international trade-economic issues. The ministers agreed that free trade negotiations in the WTO must result in solutions as quickly as possible. Also it could stimulate a recovery in global trade and economy.

The delegation for the promotion of exports and investment visited Finland under the direction of China's Vice Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng at the invitation from the Foreign Trade and Development Minister Paavo Väyrynen Minister and Industry Minister Mauri Pekkarinen.

                                                                                        Cecilia Helland