Finland's PM begins 4-day visit to China as bilateral ties seek new growth

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo arrived in Beijing on Sunday for an official visit from January 25 to 28, signaling both countries' intent to build on a long-standing foundation of political trust and practical cooperation.

Orpo's trip marks the latest chapter in the enduring diplomatic relations between Finland and China, which have spanned decades and been strengthened through regular high-level meetings in recent years.

Diplomatic, economic ties underpin high-level engagement

Finland was among the earliest Western nations to recognize the People's Republic of China and established formal diplomatic ties with Beijing in the early 1950s, laying a historical basis for sustained engagement.

The visit also comes at a time of complex global dynamics, with multilateral systems under strain and many countries seeking to manage diversified ties. Against this backdrop, Helsinki's decision to sustain high-level communication with Beijing underscores a shared preference for dialogue and cooperation.

Both sides have publicly stated their interest in enhancing coordination on multilateral affairs and fostering people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China has also highlighted the importance of strengthening economic and trade cooperation as part of broader bilateral relations, a theme likely to be part of discussions during Orpo's stay.

Economic and trade cooperation has been a steady driver of China-Finland ties, with bilateral commerce showing significant growth in recent years. In 2025, trade between the two countries exceeded $8 billion, while the stock of two-way investment surpassed $23 billion, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. China has described Finland as an important economic and trade partner in Europe and noted the complementarities between the two economies, particularly in areas such as green development and innovation-driven growth.

Reinforcing trust and pragmatic collaboration

Orpo is accompanied by a delegation including executives from over 20 Finnish companies from sectors such as machinery, forestry, innovation, clean energy and food, a composition that illustrates the real-world economic interests at stake. The presence of business leaders reflects Finland's policy orientation towards strengthening practical cooperation with China and meeting real demand from companies seeking to expand commercial ties.

Preparations are also underway for the sixth meeting of the China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation, with around 50 firms expected to participate, pointing to a robust appetite on both sides for deeper business engagement.

While the global context of trade, technology and geopolitical competition presents both challenges and opportunities, the visit is expected to reinforce the narrative of political trust and pragmatic collaboration that has characterized China-Finland relations. In a news release on Thursday, Orpo pointed to the importance of continuous dialogue on bilateral cooperation and broader international issues, with China remaining a significant market for Finnish exports and a key partner for investment.

Against these conditions, the trip reflects a convergence of long-standing mutual trust, a shared recognition of complementary economic needs and the institutional mechanisms that have kept bilateral exchanges at a high level.

(Cover: National flags of Finland and China. /VCG)