International: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Tuesday morning, 27 January, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

During the meeting, President Xi noted that Finland was among the first group of countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Over the past 76 years, regardless of changes in the international landscape, China–Finland relations have maintained steady and sound development, guided by mutual respect, equality, a forward-looking vision, and win-win cooperation.

Xi emphasized that this year marks the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, during which China will continue to promote high-quality development and expand high-standard opening-up. He said both sides should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and strive for greater outcomes in areas such as energy transition, circular economy, agriculture and forestry, and technological innovation. China welcomes Finnish companies to explore opportunities in its vast market. Noting Finland’s strength in winter sports and China’s emergence as a major winter sports nation, Xi also called for enhanced cooperation and exchanges in this field.

Xi further pointed out that the world is currently facing multiple risks and challenges, which require the international community to work together. China is willing to work with Finland to firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, jointly address global challenges, and promote a fair and orderly multipolar world as well as inclusive economic globalization. He stressed that China and Europe are partners rather than rivals, with more areas for cooperation than competition, and expressed hope that Finland would play a constructive role in promoting the sound and stable development of China–EU relations.

Prime Minister Orpo said that Finland and China share a long-standing friendship, with bilateral relations built on mutual respect and trust and marked by steady development. Finland is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, enhance high-level exchanges, and strengthen practical cooperation in trade, investment, digital economy, clean energy, agriculture, and other fields.

He reaffirmed Finland’s firm adherence to the one-China policy and praised China’s important and constructive role in international affairs. Finland, he said, is willing to strengthen communication with China, jointly safeguard world peace and stability, and play a positive role in properly addressing trade disputes between the European Union and China and promoting the healthy development of their relations.

Source: Tuhina-Hashim-Swarna, China Media Group.