On November 27, 2002, Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) met with Finnish President Tarja Halonen at the Great Hall of the People.

Li said that Sino-Finnish relations, which have withstood the test of time and international changes over more than 50 years, have become more mature and stable with cooperation bearing fruit in various fields.

Li said that as an important component of bilateral relations, the legislative bodies of the two countries have also kept close contact, which has played an indispensable role in boosting mutual understanding and friendship between both peoples. China is satisfied with the good momentum of parliamentary exchanges and he hopes for more of such exchanges to boost overall bilateral relations.

At request, Li also briefed Halonen on China's strategy of ruling the country by law and grass-roots elections. The NPC and its Standing Committee have continuously strengthened legislation while making it a priority. The plans mapped out by the just-concluded 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) point out that we should actively develop socialist democracy, promote socialist political development, strengthen and improve the people's congress system, improve socialist legal system, and build a socialist country ruled by law, so as to put the major aspects of China's political, economic and social life under the rule of law.  　　

Halonen explained how Finland's parliament works and its cooperation with parliaments of other European Union member states. She said the two parliaments of Finland and China have cooperated well in a range of ways. Parliaments play an important role in the social life of every country. She thinks that the 16th National Congress of the CPC is an important one for advancing China's democracy and legal system. She hopes that Finland and China can continue to promote exchanges between the parliaments.