OPENING REMARKS BY MR MARTTI AHTISAARI,

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND

SINO-FINNISH SYMPOSIUM ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, BEIJING, APRIL 16, 1996

Knowledge has become the major success factor for every country in today's world. It also explains many of the differences in economic growth and productivity between nations. Those with good research and education systems and abundant human capital tend to achieve more rapid economic growth.

Research is thus crucial for the future of our societies, but it does not suffice if practised in isolation. An innovative system is required to bring basic research into contact with applied research and technological development. Combined efficiently with national and international networks, this system can then produce new innovations and competitive products for world markets.

New technologies have a profound impact on industrial processes, means of transport and communications between people and organisations. Fast technological advances in telecommunications are taking us into a new phase of the information society. These developments will have great effects on humankind and the various cultures in the world. Different sections of society, both public and private, will sooner or later become users of the new telecommunications technology. I am happy to note that Finland is among the forerunners in this significant sector.

Finland has adopted a policy under which research results are rapidly transferred to practical applications, and we have also made long-term commitments to high standards of education, science and technology.

Finland's expenditure on research and development has tripled in the last ten years. We now rank fourth among the EU countries with respect to R&D as a proportion of the GDP, a share now exceeding 2.2%. In the same ten-year period, Finland's high-tech exports have also tripled, accounting for nearly 20% of our total exports. Our trade with China shows a similar trend: about 80% of Finland's exports are technology products.

It is my hope that this symposium will further encourage cooperation efforts between Finland and China in the field of science and technology and contribute to favourable developments in both countries.

I wish the Symposium every success.