China–Finland economic ties gain new momentum

China has reinforced its economic partnership with Finland, signaling a shared commitment to openness, innovation, and long-term cooperation. From January 25 to 28, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo paid an official visit to China, a trip that underscored the strategic importance it places on bilateral trade and investment ties. During the visit, China's Ministry of Commerce signed a memorandum of understanding with its Finnish counterpart to strengthen the China–Finland Innovation Enterprise Cooperation Committee, a key institutional platform for business collaboration. 

The China-Finland economic relationship rests on a stable and expanding trade base. In 2025, bilateral goods trade reached $8.26 billion, up $60 million from the previous year, representing a modest 0.7 percent increase that nonetheless reflects the resilience of bilateral trade amid a complex global environment, and highlights the complementary nature of the two economies.

In talks with Prime Minister Orpo on January 27, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized China's willingness to further align development strategies with Finland, better leverage economic complementarities, and fully unlock bilateral trade potential. He called for deeper cooperation in communications, clean technologies, specialized shipbuilding, smart urban development, and life and health industries. Following their talks, they jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents spanning science and technology, housing and urban development, customs, culture and tourism, trade, and energy.

The Finland delegation had clearly arrived in China with a strong commercial focus. Prime Minister Orpo was accompanied by more than 20 senior executives from Finnish companies in machinery, forestry, innovation, clean energy, and food — sectors that represent Finland's core competitive strengths. On January 26, the sixth meeting of the China–Finland Innovation Enterprise Cooperation Committee was held in Beijing, bringing together more than 120 business representatives. Discussions centered on innovation, green development, and digital transformation, with multiple commercial agreements signed on site.

Finnish business leaders described China as their most important growth engine, citing the country's market scale and momentum in green and digital transformation. For both sides, the visit has reinforced a shared belief in free trade, fair competition, and pragmatic cooperation as the foundation for future growth.

(Cover via VCG)