Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji, who arrived Macao at noon to attend the Macao handover ceremony, met with Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari this afternoon.

The two presidents shook hands and exchanged greetings. President Jiang said that he was glad to meet President Ahtisaari in Macao and that they are already old friends. "You are quite welcome, your excellency, to attend the Macao handover ceremony as president of the European Union's rotating presiding country," he said.

President Ahtisaari, who arrived this morning to attend the handover ceremony, said he was glad to have the opportunity to attend the handover ceremony marking Macao's return to China.

It is of great significance to participate in the handover ceremony when Finland is coming to the end of its term as a rotating presiding country for the European Union, Ahtisaari said. Ahtisaari talked about plans to further bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Finland.

President Jiang said China appreciates the active effort Finland has made to further Sino-European relations when it serves as the EU's rotating presiding country, which is inseparable from the rich experience of President Ahtisaari in the handling of international affairs. He also expressed his belief that Finland would continue to play an active role in furthering Sino-European relations.

China is ready to further expand and deepen cooperation with Finland, especially in information and telecommunications sectors, Jiang said.

Also present at the meeting were Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, secretary-general of the State Council Wang Zhongyu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan, Finnish Ambassador to China Pasi Rutanen and Finnish Foreign Trade Minister Kimmo Sasi.