China, Finland agree to strengthen cooperation, jointly address challenges

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged on Sunday to jointly address challenges with strengthened cooperation and coordination.

During his meeting with Wang in southwest Finland's Turku, Stubb asked Wang to convey his best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying that his visit to China over a year ago and his successful meeting with Xi left a deep and pleasant impression on him.

Since Finland and China established diplomatic relations in 1950, China has made remarkable achievements in such areas as politics, economy, social stability, and scientific and technological innovation, creating a development miracle, Stubb said.

Noting that the international situation is at a critical crossroads, Stubb said China has injected valuable stability into today's world. The four global initiatives proposed by Xi offer a comprehensive and insightful assessment of international situation, and clearly and systematically expound the response plans, carrying landmark significance in guiding the international community, he said.

Finland looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges with China, expanding cooperation in emerging areas such as the green economy and artificial intelligence, deepening multilateral coordination, and jointly addressing global challenges, Stubb stressed.

For his part, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, conveyed Xi's greetings to Stubb, saying that Xi paid a state visit to Finland in 2017 on the occasion of the centenary of Finland's independence, conveying the Chinese people's sincere congratulations to the Finnish people.

For over 100 years, the Finnish people have achieved national rejuvenation and development through their indomitable "sisu" spirit, Wang said.

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. Likewise, the CPC has led the Chinese people to forge a successful development path suited to China's national conditions, creating the two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, and comprehensively advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality development, Wang added.

Noting that the current international situation is fraught with chaos and turmoil, and the world faces the danger of regressing to the law of the jungle, Wang said China will continue to be an important force for peace, stability and development in the world.

China stands ready to work with Finland, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, to stay committed to the future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership between China and Finland, strengthen coordination, share opportunities and tackle challenges together, Wang said.

During the visit, Wang also held talks with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

China, Finland agree to strengthen cooperation, jointly address challenges

The devastating earthquakes that hit Venezuela in late June have dealt a heavy blow to production and jobs across the region, with the hardest-hit areas now facing a recovery effort that is expected to be long and grueling.

Local authorities in La Guaira state, the hardest-hit region of the country, are now ramping up rebuilding efforts while rolling out a series of economic measures to get the regional economy back on track.

At a fishing port in the town of Caraballeda, some 150 fishermen were working before the quakes hit. The area also housed fish product shops and a seafood processing plant that provided jobs for local women. The earthquakes directly affected about 200 families in the area -- bringing casualties, damaged homes, and wrecked workplaces that sustained their livelihoods.

"This disaster is affecting every Venezuelan right now. We can't go out to fish -- there's simply no fuel. Buildings are down, and so many of my fellow fishermen have lost their boats. We're now trying to repair what we can, holding on to whatever little we have left," said Jimmy Rangel, a local fisherman.

Local authorities have stepped in to help fishermen restore their means of production and return to sea as soon as possible.

What's happening at this port is a microcosm of the broader economic crisis unfolding behind Venezuela's recent earthquakes, and the impact of this disaster is likely to linger for a long time.

Across La Guaira state, shopping centers, small businesses, supermarkets, and tourism-related industries have suffered varying degrees of damage and are expected to feel the effects for some time to come.

To protect quake-affected communities and drive economic recovery, the Venezuelan government has announced a package of policy measures covering banking, financial markets, construction, small and micro enterprises, the oil and gas sector, and the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Venezuela faces daunting task of post-quake economic recovery