In talks with Orpo, president says China willing to work with Finland to tackle global challenges, strengthen ties

President Xi Jinping called on Jan 27 for Finland to work with China to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law to jointly respond to global challenges, while deepening bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Great Hall of the People.

Orpo kicked off a four-day official visit to China on Jan 25. Premier Li Qiang held a welcoming ceremony for the Finnish prime minister on Jan 27 and held official talks with him. They witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in the fields of science and technology, economy and trade, energy, Customs, and cultural tourism.

During his meeting with Orpo, Xi pointed out that the world today faces multiple risks and challenges and that the international community needs to work together to address them. Major countries, in particular, should lead by example in promoting equality, observing the rule of law, pursuing cooperation and upholding integrity, he said.

Xi expressed China’s willingness to work with Finland to jointly tackle global challenges and promote an equitable and orderly multipolar world, as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. He emphasized that China and Europe are partners rather than rivals, and cooperation between the two sides outweighs competition and their common ground outweighs differences. It is hoped that Finland will play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations, he said.

Xi commended the steady development of bilateral ties, saying that over the 76 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Finland have adhered to mutual respect, equality, a future-oriented approach and win-win cooperation.

He underlined the need for both countries to enhance mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and deepen cooperation to contribute to their own development and deliver more benefits to their peoples.

Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to promoting high-quality development and expanding high-standard opening-up, and called for more collaborative outcomes in areas such as energy transition, circular economy, agriculture and forestry.

Finnish companies are welcome to “take a swim in the vast ocean of the Chinese market” to enhance their global competitiveness, Xi said, adding that the two countries should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in winter sports, and more Finnish people are welcome to visit China.

Several world leaders, including Taoiseach, or prime minister, of Ireland Micheal Martin and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, have visited China in the first month of the new year to engage with Chinese leaders for bilateral cooperation as well as exchanging views on international affairs amid growing global uncertainties.

During the meeting with Xi, Orpo hailed the profound traditional friendship between Finland and China, saying that Finnish enterprises have a strong interest in coming to China for cooperation.

Finland is willing to work with China to deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, the digital economy, clean energy and agriculture to enhance the well-being of both peoples, he said.

While emphasizing that Finland firmly adheres to the one-China policy, Orpo said that Finland admires China’s outstanding achievements in development and appreciates its significant and constructive role in international affairs.

In talks with Orpo, Premier Li said that with the global economy currently under strain, China and Finland should work together to uphold an international economic and trade order.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislature, also met with Orpo.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn