Finland promotes China-EU relations amid turmoil

Finnish President Alexander Stubb began a four-day state visit to China on October 28, according to the Global Times. Chinese analysts predict that the visit will further promote the stable development of bilateral relations and contribute to China-EU relations at a time of great political turmoil in the world.

Chinese Foreign Ministry said President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Finnish President Stubb. Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said President Stubb's visit to Beijing will mark the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with Finland, continue the traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade, investment, green transformation and other fields, jointly address global challenges and promote further development of bilateral relations, Lin Jian said.

Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Institute of Global and Regional Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times: “The relationship between China and Finland has been stable and developing healthily for a long time. Finland has maintained unique stances and policies in dealing with major powers for many years. This is also one of the main reasons why China and Finland can maintain a stable and healthy relationship despite the geographical distance and significant differences in national conditions.”

Professor Cui believes that President Stubb's visit can bring out new action plans, following comprehensive discussions with the Chinese side, and consolidate the foundation of the China-Finland relationship characterized by the establishment of a close cooperation plan.

Professor Cui also said that despite some fluctuations in recent China-Europe relations, mainly due to significant changes in the region's internal and external environments, including the economy and geopolitical landscape, Finland, a supporter of free trade and an open economy, has maintained a relatively objective stance in the trade conflicts between China and Europe.

In the recent vote on imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Finland abstained, reflecting the need to cooperate with China, Professor Cui pointed out.

Accompanying President Stubb to Beijing will be the ministers of climate and environment, agriculture and forestry, foreign affairs, as well as a business delegation, who will visit Beijing and Shanghai during the trip, the Finnish President's Office said.

Chinese analysts said the visit is likely to explore new cooperation potentials while strengthening existing cooperation, including in the fields of agriculture and forestry, sustainable development, green transformation, smart cities and technology. Discussions may also include cooperation in the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

The economic complementarity between China and Finland is strong. Finland is currently China's third largest trading partner in Northern Europe. China has been Finland's largest trading partner in Asia for many years. According to Chinese Customs data, bilateral trade volume is expected to reach 8.2 billion by 2023.

Finland is world-leading in its technological research and development capabilities, excelling particularly in areas such as information technology, healthcare and environmental energy. Meanwhile, China offers a vast market size and diverse manufacturing base, creating a dynamic context for economic cooperation.

Zhu Keli, founding director of the China New Economic Institute, said that the combination of Finland's advanced technological advances and China's vast manufacturing capacity offers ample opportunities for mutually beneficial economic cooperation, promoting innovation, enhancing competitiveness and driving sustainable growth.