From October 14 to 17, Prof. Tao Yitao and her party went to Finland for a three-day field visit on the opportunities of China-Finland economic, cultural and basic education cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative on invitation of Finland-China Economic Association following the Two Millenniums of Maritime Silk Road Artworks Tour Exhibition in Europe Brussels. Prof. Tao is director of the China Center for Special Economic Zone Research (CCSEZR), Shenzhen University (SZU), a key research base of humanities and social science under the Ministry of Education, dean of the Belt and Road Research Institute of Shenzhen University and also dean of the Belt and Road Research Institute (Shenzhen) for International Cooperation and Development (BRRIICD).
Group photo of Tong Jianliang, chairman of the Finland-China Economic Association on the Chinese side, John Bohlen, vice president of the Association, and Prof. Tao Yitao
Prof. Tao Yitao and her party visited the Finland-China Economic Association's headquarters in Helsinki, the municipal government of Heinola, Finland, the Heinola Teachers College, Vierumaki Sport Institute - the largest sport institute in Europe, and South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK). She then conducted extensive and in-depth exchanges with persons in charge on the cooperation projects that can be carried out under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and reached a couple of consensuses. Accompanying Prof. Tao and her party were Ms. Leena Riekkola, chairman of the China-Finland Economic Association on the Finland side and former Deputy Minister of Justice of Finland, Tong Jianliang, chairman of the Finland-China Economic Association on the Chinese side and Bu Helanqiang, vice president of the Association.
Finland-China Economic Association is a social organization initiated and founded by the Finnish government, which is committed to promoting and strengthening the multi-channel official and civilian exchanges and cooperation between China and Finland and has made remarkable achievements in many fields including elementary education. During the talks between the two sides, Prof. Tao Yitao introduced the BRRIICD and said that the two think tanks with considerable research strength have contributed to the Belt and Road cross-regional cooperation. The two sides can play their role in promoting China and Finland's cooperation in the fields of economy, culture and education by leveraging their own advantages. Ms. Leena Riekkola, chairman of the China-Finland Economic Association on the Finland side, attached great importance to Prof. Tao and her party's visit to Finland. She believed that under the Belt and Road Initiative, it is now the best time for Finland and China to cooperate with each other. She hoped that this visit will increase mutual understanding and lay the foundation for future cooperation.
Group photo of Prof. Tao Yitao, Ms. Leena Riekkola, chairman of the China-Finland Economic Association on the Finland side, and her husband Yaguo Riekkola
On the morning of October 15, Heikki Makila, deputy mayor of Heinola, met with Prof. Tao Yitao and her party and briefly introduced Heinola. Heinola is a small city with abundant natural resources and strong industrial capabilities. It shows strength in many areas such as biotechnology and circular economy. In the future, they hope to attract Chinese investment and China's entrepreneurship and innovation companies to open research institutions in Heinola and make the city a bridge to promote the cooperation between China and Finland. They also hope to connect the quality education resources of Heinola with Chinese institutions so as to encourage and support more Chinese students to come to Finland.
Heikki Makila, deputy mayor of Heinola, introduces the situation of Heinola to Prof. Tao Yitao and her party.
Prof. Tao Yitao said that the natural scenery, industrial resources and education foundation of Heinola are important factors in attracting Chinese enterprises and students. The BRRIICD will serve as a bridge and link between China and Finland, allowing more Shenzhen companies to learn Heinola. Mr. Heikki Makila revealed that he was going to China in November to visit and investigate China's railway network and plan an important logistics hub across Europe and Asia. Prof. Tao Yitao invited Mr. Heikki Makila on behalf of BRRIICD to visit Shenzhen and hold a city promotion conference at the China Hi-Tech Fair to allow more Chinese companies and students to learn more about Heinola.
Prof. Tao Yitao and Mr. Heikki Makila pose for a photo
Prof. Tao Yitao and her party pose for a group photo with Heikki Makila, deputy mayor of Heinola
During her visit to Finland, Prof. Tao Yitao visited Vierumaki Sport Institute, the largest sport institute in Europe founded in 1927. After the introduction to the institute by Ms. Frauke Kubischta, Prof. Tao Yitao visited several important sport stadiums of the institute. During the visit to the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK), President Petteri Ikonen gave a detailed introduction to XAMK's development history and curriculum system to Prof. Tao and her party. He said he made much account of Prof. Tao Yitao's visit and hoped to take this opportunity to facilitate the deep communication with Chinese universities.
Prof. Tao Yitao and her party listens carefully to Ms. Frauke Kubischta's introduction
Prof. Tao Yitao and her party visits Vierumaki Sport Institute
Prof. Tao Yitao and her party pose a group photo with XMAK President Petteri Ikonen and his party
Prof. Tao Yitao and her party visits XMAK
Kaj Turunen, a member of Finland's Parliament and chairman of the Economic Council of Finland, spoke highly of the significance of Prof. Tao Yitao’s visit to Finland. He was looking forward to achieving cooperation between the Finland and China in new fields through joint efforts and open up a new path for the cooperation and development between two sides in the new era.
Mr. Kaj Turunen gives a book to Prof. Tao Yitao as a gift
Prof. Tao Yitao gives a silk table runner painted with beautiful Shenzhen as a gift
Prof. Tao Yitao and her party pose for a group photo with Mr. Kaj Turunen and Ms. Leena Riekkola
