On November 27, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji met with Finnish President Tarja Halonen at the Great Hall of the People.

Zhu said that at present, China-Finland relations are developing very well and rapidly, with frequent contacts at all levels and smooth and productive exchanges and cooperation  in all fields. In particular, bilateral cooperation in telecommunications, paper-making and environmental protection fields has reached a certain scale. Founded on a good political basis, relations between the two countries have enormous potential for cooperation and broad prospects. We would like to further explore the fields of bilateral cooperation to achieve new development in China-Finland all-round friendly relations and cooperation.

Halonen said that China has made great progress since her last visit. She said that the Chinese economy has maintained rapid growth for long. The just-concluded 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has set an impressive goal for the country's development. Finland and China have had good cooperation in various spheres. She wished China makes more achievements in the years ahead.

After the meeting, Zhu and Halonen met with people from the Finnish business circle.

Zhu congratulated the entrepreneurs on their success in China in recent years. Briefing them on China's current economic situation and future prospects, he noted China would faithfully implement its commitments made on entering the World Trade Organization, and protect intellectual property rights and foreign business' rights and interests in the country. He expressed the belief that with their joint efforts, Sino-Finnish trade and economic cooperation would make even greater progress.

Calling China one of the most rapidly developing nations in the world, the Finnish businessmen thanked the Chinese government for its enormous help, and pledged to work to establish a stable and long-term cooperative relationship China.