Prime Minister Orpo in Beijing: “China’s support for peace in Ukraine is important”

Prime Minister Orpo in Beijing: "China's support for peace in Ukraine is important"

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is in China for an official visit from 24 to 29 January. On Tuesday 27 January, Prime Minister Orpo met for separate discussions with President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji. In all three discussions, Prime Minister Orpo highlighted Finland's and Europe's support for Ukraine, EU-China relations and a variety of bilateral issues, including increasing Finland's exports to China.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo had lengthy discussions about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, especially in his meeting with President Xi Jinping.

"Russia is also attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, which is prohibited under international law. No one should support Russia in these actions. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine poses a threat to the security of Finland and Europe as a whole. I call on China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to work towards a lasting peace in Ukraine," said Prime Minister Orpo.

Prime Minister Orpo noted that China's support for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine is the most significant issue undermining the EU-China relationship. Prime Minister Orpo also stressed the importance of EU-China relations at the global level.

"The relationship between the EU and China is critical in the current global situation. The EU and China are economic giants whose relationship plays a major role in global economic development. It is important to promote trade between the EU and China that is based on reciprocity and a level playing field," Prime Minister Orpo said.

In his discussions with the Chinese leaders, Prime Minister Orpo also highlighted the long-standing political and economic relationship between Finland and China. The Prime Minister called attention to human rights and climate issues, as well as the trade imbalance between China and Finland, which is in China's favour.

In the meeting between Prime Minister Orpo and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, the two premiers signed Memoranda of Understanding outlining future cooperation between their countries. The Memoranda of Understanding concern sustainable construction, energy cooperation, animal disease management and the activities of the China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation. The prime ministers also signed a Letter of Intent on promoting tourism and a protocol to scientific and technological consultations held in autumn 2025.

Prime Minister Orpo's visit boosts Finnish exports

During his visit to China, Prime Minister Orpo also met with China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao. Their discussions on Monday 26 January focused mainly on promoting Finnish companies' access to the Chinese market. Representatives from Finnish companies were also present at the meeting.

The sixth in-person meeting of the China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation was also held during Prime Minister Orpo's visit. Established in 2017, the business-driven committee aims to promote trade and investments between Finland and China. The committee's cooperation is coordinated on the Finnish side by the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), and its work is supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

Representatives from 20 Finnish companies took part in the meeting of the Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation in Beijing, most of whom had travelled to Beijing in connection with Prime Minister Orpo's visit. Finnish and Chinese companies signed 11 commercial agreements with one another during the visit.

"Official visits like this open doors for our companies in China. I am very pleased to be able to support Finland's exports and boost employment in this way, too," said Prime Minister Orpo.

Inquiries: Marja Koskela, Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister, tel. +358 295 160 978 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for International Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 07 33