China hopes Finland not to politicize trade issues: spokesman

China hopes that Finland view China's normal development of relations with other countries rationally and refrain from politicizing economic and trade issues, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

Guo made the remarks in response to a media query about a comment by Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who said China's relationship with Russia is a "disqualifying factor" for a China-EU free trade agreement.

"China-EU economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial in nature. Strengthening dialog and consultation and deepening economic and trade cooperation based on mutual respect are in the interests of both China and the EU and are also what the business community and the wider public would expect," the spokesman said.

"We hope that Finland will view China's normal development of relations with other countries rationally and objectively, maintain an open mind, and refrain from politicizing economic and trade issues, and stop generalizing security issues," said Guo.

Recently released footage from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Sichuan Province shows three giant pandas enjoying meals in a lush, naturalistic setting.

The pandas, all born at the CCRCGP, include a female named Jia Mei, born on August 15, 2015, and two males: Bao Lai (affectionately known as Cui Cui), born on August 21, 2018, and Hua Bao, born on July 10, 2013.

The CCRCGP is a world-leading institution dedicated to the breeding and conservation of one of China's national treasures, the giant panda. The center has established a global platform for promoting international cooperation and exchanges involving 18 zoos from 16 countries and regions, 39 domestic animal breeding institutions, and over 10 scientific research institutes.