Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen on Thursday appreciated the good development of China-Finland relations and economic cooperation, expressing the hope that the two countries could further strengthen cooperation in climate change and environmental issues in the future.

In an interview with Xinhua on the eve of his visit to China, the prime minister said that the next year would be the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.Vanhanen said Finland enjoys excellent relations with China with no unsolved political problems at all between them.

He said although the two sides cannot agree on all issues, they can always exchange views frankly on anything.

Vanhanen said bilateral economic and trade relations have developed quite rapidly, with China currently being Finland's most important trade partner in Asia. Economy and trade are the drivers of development of bilateral relations, he said.Vanhanen said although both are being affected by the world economic and financial crisis, Finland and China can still increase bilateral trade and investment, and promote cooperation in other new areas. He hoped the Chinese government could support Finland's exports to China and increase investment in his country.

The prime minister specifically stressed the importance of climate and environment protection. As combating climate change is a common challenge for all human beings, Finland and China should further increase cooperation in climate and environmental issues, he said.

Finland, as the world's leading country in environmental protection technologies and solutions, is ready to provide China with the best environment improvement technologies, products and solutions to meet its needs, he said.

Vanhanen is to pay an official visit to China from April 19 to 22, his second in three years.