On the morning of January 27, 2026, President Xi Jinping met with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the Finnish leader’s official visit to China.

President Xi noted that Finland was among the first countries to have established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and China-Finland relations have been growing steadily for the past 76 years despite global changes, upholding mutual respect, equality, a future-oriented approach, and mutually beneficial cooperation. He said that both the Chinese and Finnish people demonstrate perseverance and tenacity, and the two countries need to enhance mutual trust, increase exchanges and deepen cooperation to support their respective national development and bring more benefits to both peoples.

President Xi underlined the historical foundation of China-Finland friendship and trust. He said that, as China embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development this year and continues to promote high-quality development and expand high-standard opening up, China and Finland should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and nurture more fruits in areas such as energy transition, the circular economy, agriculture and forestry, and scientific and technological innovation. He encouraged Finnish businesses to dive into the vast ocean of China’s market to gain global competitiveness. Turning to winter sports, President Xi said Finland is a global leader and China has a huge number of participants, and the two countries should work more closely with each other to bolster ties in winter sports. He also welcomed more Finnish citizens to visit and experience China, a land of ancient heritage and modern vibes.

Pointing to a world facing various risks and challenges, President Xi stated that a collective response from the international community is essential, and major countries, in particular, should take the lead in upholding equality, the rule of law, cooperation and integrity. He expressed China’s readiness to work with Finland to firmly uphold the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, respond to global challenges together, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. President Xi shared his view that China and the EU are partners, not rivals, and their cooperation and common ground far outweigh their competition and differences. He expressed the hope for Finland to play its constructive role in promoting the healthy and steady development of China-Europe relations.

Prime Minister Orpo said that Finland and China have a profound traditional friendship, and their relations have enjoyed long-term and stable development on the basis of mutual respect and trust, with joint celebrations of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025. He noted that Finnish companies have a keen interest in doing business in China, and Finland will work with China to implement the important common understandings reached between the two leaders, enhance high-level exchanges, and deepen practical cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, the digital economy, clean energy and agriculture to deliver better lives for the two peoples. He stated that Finland is committed to the one-China policy, commends China for its remarkable achievements in development, and appreciates China’s important and constructive role in international affairs. He said Finland is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly uphold world peace and stability. He noted the importance of constructive EU-China relations and said that Finland advocates European strategic autonomy, supports free trade, and stands ready to play an active role in facilitating the proper settlement of trade frictions between the EU and China and the sound development of EU-China relations.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.