On March 21st, 2016, Mr. Chen Lei, Minister of Water Resources, met Mr. Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Finland, in Beijing. Two sides deeply exchanged ideas on further strengthening cooperation in the field of water resources and promoting the China Europe Water Platform. Mr. Jaana Husu-Kallio, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland, and Mr. Marja Rislakki, Ambassador of Finland to China, attended the meeting.

Minister Chen Lei pointed out that China and Finland had a long history and very close exchanges in water cooperation. For a long time, two countries have been carrying out pragmatic cooperation in the fields of flood control, disaster mitigation, ice flood forecast, water supply, and achieved remarkable results. Especially after the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of water resources was signed in February 2014, two sides established the joint committee of water resources management. The bilateral cooperation became more pragmatic and outcomes turned more outstanding. At the same time, Finland actively participated in all kinds of activities of the China Europe Water Platform, and made a significant contribution for the China-EU water cooperation.

Minister Kimmo Tiilikainen highly evaluated the measures and achievements by China in water saving and protection. He said that Finland has accumulated rich experience in water management, water pollution control and other fields, and was willing to share with the Chinese side. Finland was confronted with new challenges like lake and coastal eutrophication, climate change and other issues, and hoped to enhance bilateral exchange and cooperation in the aspects of sustainable water management, flood control, drought relief and climate change to jointly cope with water challenges.

Officials of relevant departments also attended the meeting.