Shao Zhanwei, deputy secretary and mayor of Hangzhou, met with Mr Matti Heimonen, Consul General of Finland in Shanghai on Feb 28, 2011.

During his visit to Hangzhou, Mr Matti Heimonen discussed the establishment of sister cities between Hangzhou and Oulu in Finland, as well as the cooperation between Finland and Hangzhou in technological innovation, environmental protection, and other areas.

Mr Shao stressed at the meeting, “Finland and Hangzhou have always had close relations of cooperation and trade. Finland is a global leader in high-tech, environmental protection, social management and many other areas. There are many things we feel we can learn from you. In addition, the Yangtze River Delta Regional Planning provides more opportunities for bilateral exchange and cooperation.”

“There has been a lot of cooperation between both sides in areas such as science & technology and environmental protection, and we are looking forward to further exchanges in the areas of creative design, culture and tourism,” Mr Matti Heimonen said.

By Xie Fang & Wang Guangming