Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 8, said the Finnish government in a statement on Wednesday.

Vanhanen will visit Beijing from Aug. 7 to 15 to follow the Olympic Games, said the statement.

During his stay in Beijing, Vanhanen will attend the opening ceremony, watch the Finnish athletes perform and visit the Olympic Village.

Vanhanen will have bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to discuss bilateral relations and also attend a luncheon hosted by Wen on Aug. 10, said the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2008)