BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday expressed the readiness to work with Finland to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, to jointly respond to global challenges.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who is on an official visit to China.

Xi also said China is willing to work with Finland to promote an equitable and orderly multipolar world as well as a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. 

China and Finland should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as energy transition, circular economy, agriculture and forestry industries, and scientific and technological innovation, said Xi.

Xi welcomed Finnish enterprises to "take a swim in the vast ocean of the Chinese market" to enhance their global competitiveness.

Noting this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said China will continue to advance high-quality development and expand high-standard opening up to the rest of the world.

Finland is a powerhouse in winter sports, and China has also emerged as a major winter sports nation, Xi said, calling on both sides to promote exchanges and cooperation in this area to carry forward their winter sports friendship.

He welcomes more Finnish people to visit China and experience its blend of ancient heritage and modern vitality.

Xi also said that China and Europe are partners, not adversaries.

Cooperation between China and Europe outweighs competition, and their common ground outweighs differences, Xi noted, adding that China hopes Finland will play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations.