Finland's pragmatic outreach: How its 'values-based realism' could create ripple effects

Editor's note: Yang Chengxi is a commentator on current affairs for CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN. 

Europe finds itself at an unusual crossroads. From the Greenland crisis to Washington's on-again, off-again tariff threats, uncertainty is everywhere. European leaders are looking for stability – and that provides the immediate backdrop for Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's official visit to China this week. But there is another reason this trip has caught observers' attention: What it reveals about Finland's diplomatic philosophy.

This article examines three key dimensions of Helsinki's approach: Its conceptual foundation, its growing international resonance, and its practical implications for Finland's future relations with China.

The Finnish philosophy: Values-based realism

Despite differences with China on certain issues and values, Finland has developed a reputation for pragmatic cooperation, even amid opposing currents in Western political circles. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has described this approach as "values-based realism." Rather than ignoring differences, it seeks to manage them through sustained dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation.

A resonant idea: From Helsinki to Ottawa

The appeal of "values-based realism" extends beyond Finland. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney explicitly endorsed the concept in a recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stating, "Our new approach rests on what Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, has termed 'values-based realism' – or, to put another way, we aim to be both principled and pragmatic." Notably, Carney's own visit to Beijing earlier this January resulted in a substantive package of bilateral agreements, underscoring how this philosophy can translate into tangible outcomes.

Chinese analysts also recognize its significance. As Duan Demin, Director of the Center for European Studies at Peking University, observes: "Finland has reached out to China, and this kind of idea translates into a more pragmatic approach to diplomacy… They realize we live in a world defined by power dynamics and should not follow certain major powers blindly."

"Major countries should act as a good example to promote equality, observe the rule of law, pursue cooperation, and uphold integrity," stated by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting with Prime Minister Orpo in Beijing on January 27. He emphasized that China and Europe are partners, not adversaries; that cooperation between China and Europe outweighs competition; and that their common ground outweighs differences.

Deepening ties: The economy as an anchor 

Active engagement with China has strengthened Finland's economic resilience, a point underscored by Orpo's delegation of more than 20 Finnish business leaders. The delegation attended the sixth meeting of the China-Finland Innovation Enterprise Cooperation Committee and witnessed the signing of multiple commercial agreements.

China remains Finland's largest trading partner in Asia, with bilateral trade exceeding $8 billion and two-way investment surpassing $23 billion in 2025. Finnish companies such as KONE, operating in China for three decades, illustrate the structural complementarity between the two economies. As KONE Greater China President Joe Bao notes, "We've seen one of history's greatest urbanization efforts… Our modernization solutions help reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent in urban renewal projects."

During talks with Finnish business representatives, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao encouraged open dialogue, pointing to KONE's success in winning 96 percent of bids in a residential elevator renewal project in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, as evidence that "our business environment treats foreign-invested enterprises equally."

Conclusion: A model with ripple effects?

Prime Minister Orpo's visit reinforces a key insight: public support for China-Europe cooperation is grounded in business ties, livelihoods, and mutual benefit. Finland's pragmatic posture not only signals a commitment to deepening relations with China but also reflects strategic foresight in navigating great-power dynamics. As more European nations confront economic uncertainty and geopolitical volatility, Finland's "values-based realism" may offer a credible and constructive model for engaging China, one built on principle, pragmatism, and a long-term vision.

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