President Halonen at TV interview in China: Environmental challenges unite

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 22 August 2008

“Trust cannot be built behild closed doors. Although China is the world’s largest state by population, it cannot solve all the problems alone, but co-operation is needed. The fight against climate change is a good example of this. Environmental challenges unite us”, President Halonen said at a Phoenix TV interview in Beijing 22 August, 2008.

Phoenix TV is a Hong Kong-based satellite television broadcaster which has over 150 million viewers in the Chinese mainland and can be seen in over 50 countries. At the interview given in connection with the Olympic Games, President Halonen hoped that China will bear its responsibility in climate issues and participate in global co-operation.

On Finnish-Chinese relations, President Halonen noted that trade relations are important and Finnish companies already have long traditions in China, but cultural co-operation should also be further developed.

Welfare, education and human rights were also discussed at the interview. President Halonen said that democracy and the rule of law are important not only for the society but for the rights of individuals. Education has to be the right for every boy and girl”, President Halonen reminded.

President Halonen and Dr Arajärvi followed Finns competing in different sports in Beijing and visited athletes in the Olympic Village.

On Sunday 24 August, the closing day of the Olympic Games, President Halonen attended a lunch hosted by Chinese President Hu Jiantao and met with other Heads of State and Government. President Halonen returned to Finland on Monday 25 August.

President Halonen will travel again to Beijing in October, when she will participate in the Europe - Asia (ASEM) Summit and meet Chinese leaders.

President Halonen supported Finnish athletes in Beijing