Finland’s prime minister begins a four-day visit to China at the head of a large business delegation on Sunday, seen as the latest move by a European country to forge closer ties with Beijing amid coercive US policies under President Donald Trump.
According to analysts, Petteri Orpo’s trip also highlights Beijing’s efforts to strengthen ties with individual European Union member states as a way to soften broader EU scrutiny over China’s alleged overcapacity driving a huge trade imbalance.
Observers expect cooperation to largely focus on low-risk areas such as green technology and climate-related projects, but warn that geopolitical concerns – particularly involving US-EU ties and Europe’s growing security concerns – are likely to limit any breakthroughs.
Orpo will be the second EU leader to visit China in three weeks – following Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin’s January 4-8 trip – and the first Finnish prime minister to do so since 2017.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb paid a state visit to China in October 2024.
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Chinese leader Xi Jinping seeks closer ties with Finland on green energy, peace plan for Ukraine
Chinese leader Xi Jinping seeks closer ties with Finland on green energy, peace plan for Ukraine
Orpo’s trip also comes days after a visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, when the fellow Nato member struck a broad deal with Beijing to cut tariffs and restore ties following years of recrimination and hostility.
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