Sinikka Jalasjoki’s long career as an advocate for forest industry cooperation between Finland and China culminated in a visit to Beijing at the beginning of September this year. Jalasjoki was honored with a certificate for the collaboration between the two countries and her contribution to the development of China’s forest industry. The Beijing trip was part of Finnish-Chinese forest industry cooperation, which dates thirty years back. The first protocol was signed on the 7th of October 1980.

In the context of this quite intensive collaboration Sinikka Jalasjoki, Ministerial Adviser at the Department of Forestry, has made annual trips to China together with experts from the ministry and the Finnish forest industry. Each year Jalasjoki has also hosted visits of up to three Chinese expert groups at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Economic growth attracts investments
China is a rapidly growing economic power, with a forest area nine times that of Finland. Consequently, China is seen as a lucrative cooperation partner for Finland, as well as for many other countries. Germany has given China hundreds of millions of euros in loans and allowances to develop its forestry. France is also going to grant a long-term loan of 35 million euros to the forest authorities of southern China for reforestation and biogas construction purposes.

The cooperation between Finland and China, however, differs from this kind of model. “We have organised ministerial visits and joint introductory trips for experts, implemented forest projects of various sizes in China and organised several large seminars together. The Chinese value the sharing of expertise and know-how just as much as Germany’s big donations”, says Jalasjoki. “We have also invited the Finnish forest industry companies to participate in every event that we have organised in China.”

Traditions, culture and values meet
Chinese culture is thousands of years old. Many of the traditions are very different compared to the western world, and the quite unique language is difficult for the westerners. The straight, uncomplicated mode of behaviour connects the Finnish and the Chinese people, making the cooperation between them easy and flexible. Jalasjoki emphasises the importance of personal relationships, and time. “I have worked with the Chinese people for eighteen years and time has really done its job.”

Land reform among the main themes in Beijing
Land reform became one of the main themes of the Beijing visit in September. There were almost a hundred participants at the land reform seminar. Traditionally agricultural and forest land has been strictly owned by the Chinese government, and the village collectives decided on the use of the forests. The unclear rights of ownership over forests have lead to conflicts between the farmers and local authorities.

The forest land reform published in 2008 is continuation of the agricultural land reform started earlier. The reform does not provide farmers with ownership over the land itself, but it improves the farmers' property rights over the forest growing on the land. The aim of the reform is to raise the farmers' standard of living and put an end to conflicts which are dividing the country. Thanks to the land reform the farmer can now have up to a 70-year contract concerning the use of forest. The property right can also be transferred to the next generation.

“I think the land reform is a magnificent issue. The project has proceeded well. In the Yunnan Province, for example, as many as 60% of the transfers of property rights to the farmers have already been completed”, Jalasjoki praises.

The forest cooperation continues
During the Beijing visit the two countries decided to continue forest cooperation in various fields, including research, knowledge transfer and education projects. Sinikka Jalasjoki’s role as the promoter of Finnish export and cooperation to China came to a worthy conclusion in Beijing. The most rewarding thing about the cooperation, according to Jalasjoki, has been the opportunity to present Finland as a model country to China. “The Finnish forest sector is highly advanced and it has been a real joy to show it.”

Further information:
Ministerial Adviser Sinikka Jalasjoki, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 9 160 52414, +358 40 537 3754