HELSINKI, June 12 -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China said on Thursday that China and Finland should promote people-to-people exchange in order to consolidate public support for their relations.

"People-to-people exchange can serve as a bridge for mutual understanding and friendship. China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Finland in such areas as mass media, movie production, cultural performances," Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said at a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinistoe.

During his visit to Finland, Liu is expected to witness the signing of a series of cooperation documents reached between the two countries in the field of culture.

"The two countries should continue to explore new ways to strengthen people-to-people exchange, in order to consolidate the spiritual ties for the new type partnership between China and Finland," Liu said.

He hailed the development of the bilateral ties, saying they are at a new historic starting point.

For his part, Niinistoe said that people-to-people exchange can help the people of both countries understand each other.

"I am glad to see more and more Finnish young people are learning Chinese. They will play a role in promoting pragmatic cooperation between Finland and China," he said.

Finland is the second leg of Liu's ongoing four-nation Europe tour, which has already taken him to Denmark, and will further take him to Ireland and Portugal.