Prime Minister Orpo to meet with Chinese leadership in Beijing

Prime Minister Orpo to meet with Chinese leadership in Beijing

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will visit Beijing, China, on 25-28 January. On Tuesday 27 January, Prime Minister Orpo will meet with President of China Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Qiang, who is hosting the official visit, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji. The purpose of the visit is to continue dialogue with the Chinese leadership and to promote business opportunities for Finland in China.

Topics on the agenda for the official discussions include bilateral relations between Finland and China, relations between the China and the EU, and topical international issues such as Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.

"It is important to continue dialogue with China on bilateral cooperation and topical international issues, such as challenges in the rules-based system and trade. China is an important export market for Finnish companies and the EU's second largest trading partner. The relationship between the EU and China must be based on reciprocity and equal market access," said Prime Minister Orpo.

Finland and China have long-standing, stable relations. President of the Republic Alexander Stubb made a state visit to China in October 2024, and Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho visited in April 2025. The last Finnish prime minister to visit China was Juha Sipilä, who visited in 2017.

Cooperation between Finland and China is mainly focused on sectors that are important for the green transition. Key sectors in the bilateral partnership include the low-carbon economy, the circular economy and efforts to combat climate change. China is one of Finland's most important trading partners. In 2024, Finland's goods exports to China amounted to EUR 3.5 billion, with service exports totalling EUR 1.82 billion. Finland's goods imports from China, for their part, totalled EUR 7.5 billion. In 2023, there were 239 subsidiaries of Finnish companies operating in China with a turnover of just over EUR 14 billion from their business in China.

On Monday 26 January, Prime Minister Orpo and representatives from Finnish companies will meet with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao.

In connection with Prime Minister Orpo's visit to China, the Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation between Finland and China will organise a meeting, where Prime Minister Orpo will deliver an address. Established in 2017, the business-driven committee aims to promote trade and investments between Finland and China. The committee's work is coordinated by the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) and Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland and by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) in China.

Representatives from the following Finnish companies will take part in the Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation's meeting in Beijing: Aurealis Therapeutics, Finnair Plc, Finnish Minerals Group, Kalmar Oyj, Oy Karl Fazer Ab, Kemira Corporation, Kolster Oy Ab, KONE Corporation, Lindström, Metso Corporation, Metsä Fibre Oy, Nordea Bank Abp, Oilon Group Oy, Okmetic, Peikko Group Oy, Planmeca Oy, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Valio Oy, Valmet Automotive and Wärtsilä.

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

Requests for contact and inquiries during the visit: Marko Ruonala, Chief Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 522 8233