Full coverage: President Xi Visits Finland, Meets Trump in U.S.

Full coverage: China’s Leaders

(Source: CGTN)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Finland for a 3-day state visit.  Tuesday's arrival saw a grand welcome for President Xi, with the country's airforce escorting his plane as it entered Finnish airspace. Xi will be hosted by his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive in Helsinki, Finland, April 4, 2017. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Tuesday for a state visit to Finland. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

This is his first visit to an EU country this year. It's also only the second state visit to the Nordic nation by a Chinese president, since diplomatic ties were established in 1950. This week's visit is aimed at increasing political trust and cooperation. Xi said he looks forward to exchanging ideas with Niinisto.

Xi also congratulated the North European country as it celebrates 100 years of independence. Finland was among the first western countries to establish diplomatic ties with China. And, China has been Finland’s top trading partner in Asia for 14 years in a row.

Four years ago, Niinisto visited China, where the two countries reached common ground on building a new cooperative partnership. Since then, cooperation between the two countries has expanded to such areas as environment, culture, education, and technology.