On January 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi stressed that China and Finland should uphold the UN-centered international system and promote multilateralism and inclusive globalization. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in technology, economy, energy, and other fields to address global challenges.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo began a four-day official visit to China on January 26, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 28. Xi noted that the world faces multiple risks and challenges, urging China and Finland to work together to promote an equitable multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization. He emphasized that China and Europe are partners, not rivals, and hoped Finland would play a constructive role in healthy China-Europe relations.
Xi reviewed the steady development of bilateral ties over 76 years since diplomatic relations were established, based on mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation. He welcomed Finnish companies to 'take a swim in the vast ocean of the Chinese market' to boost global competitiveness and called for deeper collaboration in energy transition, circular economy, agriculture and forestry, and technological innovation. Xi also invited more Finns to visit China to experience its blend of ancient heritage and modern vitality.
Orpo praised the profound traditional friendship between the two nations, noting strong interest from Finnish enterprises in cooperating with China. Finland firmly adheres to the one-China policy, admires China's development achievements, and seeks to deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, digital economy, clean energy, and agriculture. Orpo stated that Finland supports Europe's strategic autonomy and free trade, and is willing to help resolve Europe-China trade frictions positively.
On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang hosted a welcoming ceremony and held talks with Orpo. Li said this year marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, and the two countries should align development strategies to deepen cooperation in telecommunications, clean technology, special vessel building, new-type urban development, and life and health. Li called for upholding the WTO-centered multilateral trading system against unilateralism and protectionism. They witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in science and technology, housing and urban-rural development, customs, culture and tourism, economy and trade, and energy.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, also met Orpo, stressing deepened exchanges in legislation, supervision, and state governance to provide legal guarantees for practical cooperation. Timo Vuori, director for international trade at the Confederation of Finnish Industries, said regular EU-China exchanges are essential amid a complex environment, and China's technological strengths help Finnish firms enhance global competitiveness.
Bilateral trade reached $8.2 billion in 2024, with China as Finland's largest Asian trading partner and Finland as China's third-largest in the Nordic region. During Xi's 2017 state visit to Finland, the two declared a future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership. The China-Finland Clean Energy Demonstration Project in Guangzhou's Nansha District, commissioned in 2022, integrates technologies from Finnish firms Convion, Savosolar, and Heliostorage, potentially cutting carbon emissions by up to 40,000 tonnes annually if scaled.
The two sides also advanced ice and snow economy cooperation, with China extending visa-free stays for Finnish citizens until December 31, 2026. About 76,000 Chinese tourists visited Finland from January to September 2025, up 13% year-on-year. The visit signals a renewed push for stable, results-oriented China-Finland relations.
