Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Vice President Li Yang met with visiting Finnish Ambassador to China Jari Gustafsson and his delegation on April 9.

In welcoming Gustafsson and his delegation, Li noted that China is deepening its cooperation and communication with European countries, including Finland, as both sides seek to assert their position in a constantly evolving global environment. Li outlined the profile of CASS to Gustafsson, including its various academic divisions and research fields. He pointed out that as the most important academic research institution in China and think tank of the Chinese government, CASS is eager to consolidate cooperation with Finland in various fields.

Li said that as the Chinese government comprehensively pushes forward economic, social, political, cultural, educational and legal reforms, CASS would conduct relevant studies and make research-based proposals to the government. Li expressed his hope that foreign experts, including those from Finland, could participate in CASS’s research.

Although paying his first visit to CASS since his appointment as ambassador last year, Gustafsson said he was already familiar with some of the academy’s researchers and their work. Gustafsson noted that since coming China he has witnessed consensus from all walks of life on the path the country is taking paved by reforms. On different attitudes taken by the international community toward China, Gustafsson said it was important for countries to communicate more with each other through proper channels to eliminate misunderstandings. The ambassador praised efforts made by CASS in enhancing global dialogue, expressing hope for Finland to deepen cooperation with CASS in various fields to better understand China and its development.

Li agreed with Gustafsson on this point, noting that relations between China and the rest of the world have become increasingly complex amid the country’s economic growth. Li told Gustafsson he hoped China and Europe could work more closely together with the ambassador’s assistance. “China can learn a lot from Finland. Despite being a small country, Finland has a robust manufacturing industry that has helped its economy weather storms,” said Li, who also praised Finland’s strategic approach to managing its aging population and its innovative educational reforms.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today (CASS Special Edition)No.242.

Chinese link: http://cass.cssn.cn/yaowen/201404/t20140411_1063309.html

Translated by Yu Hui

Revised by Tom Fearon