Ambassador: Finland, SZ enjoy great cooperation potential

Finland's Ambassador to China Jarno Syrjala (5th L) poses for a photo with the guests at Shenzhen No.3 People’s Hospital in Futian District yesterday. Liu Xudong

Finland's Ambassador to China Jarno Syrjala has said that Finland and Shenzhen have great potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in a multitude of areas, such as health-care technology, creative design, green energy, new technology and education.

The ambassador was in town Thursday for the opening ceremony and launching of the first installation of the Planmed Verity extremity CT scanner at Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital. Ambassador Syrjala told Shenzhen Daily in an interview that both Finland and Shenzhen have built on their reputations for innovation and technology and more exchanges between the two sides are highly anticipated.

The hospital will become the first medical institution in China to pioneer using the point-of-care extremity CT scanner manufactured by Finnish medical device company Planmed Oy.

“Finland is home to some 5.5 million inhabitants, but as a nation, we are punching above our weight when it comes to innovations and technology,” said the ambassador, adding that one key to success in today’s world is the capacity to innovate and create something new.

According to Syrjala, health technology has become the largest and one of the fastest-growing export segments among Finland’s high-tech industries.

“In Finland, we have high availability of the latest technologies, scientists and engineers, and we have also invested hundreds of millions of euros per year in health-related education, research and commercial applications,” he said.

He expressed confidence in seeing more health-care sector collaborations between China and Finland, with the first steps from Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital and Planmed.

In a mention of his impressions of Shenzhen, Syrjala told Shenzhen Daily that his impressions of the city have always been very positive and that it is a city of entrepreneurs and innovations.

The ambassador said Finnish designers are also very active in increasing their presence in Shenzhen, showcasing their creative designs in various exhibitions.

On Wednesday, he also attended the opening ceremony of this year’s Shenzhen Creative Week, where he saw many Finnish designs on display.

Syrjala said another important area that Finland and Shenzhen can explore cooperation possibilities is clean energy.