Finnish President Visits China: Finding a New Framework

Finnish President Alexander Stubb's visit to China from October 28 to 31 reflects efforts to elevate the framework of cooperation in a turbulent world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Finnish President Alexander Stubb at the Great Hall of the People, October 29. (Source: Xinhua/Wang Ye)

The visit took place on the 74th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (October 28, 1950 - October 28, 2024), and also marked the first visit by a Finnish leader to China in five years and after Helsinki joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

At the same time, it shows the efforts to promote bilateral relations in the context of complex changes in the world situation. During the visit, the leaders of both sides focused on trade cooperation, seizing investment opportunities, cooperation in technology, trade, sustainable development and smart city construction, and “hot” regional and international issues, with conflict resolution as the focus.

From “model” to “new model”

This goal is clearly demonstrated by the composition of the delegation, the working schedule, as well as the content of the exchanges between the two countries' senior leaders. Accompanying Mr. Stubb on this visit to China are Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, Minister of Climate and Environment Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah, MP Ville Skinnari, MP Sakari Puisto, and many other senior officials and business representatives.

In addition, in addition to the key meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the afternoon of October 29, Mr. Stubb also had a relatively “full” schedule. Earlier that morning, the politician attended the ceremony to announce the applied science development project between Tsinghua University and Finnish universities.

Mr. Stubb and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended a meeting of the China-Finland Committee on Innovative Enterprise Cooperation, discussing the potential for building cross-border business partnerships in areas ranging from environmental energy, healthcare and digital technology development.

In Shanghai, the distinguished European guest addressed global security and multilateralism in a speech at Fudan University, met with students and experts at the Nordic Center, before concluding the visit with a business seminar organized by the Finnish Consulate General, the Finnish Enterprise Association and the Confederation of Finnish Industries, focusing on investment opportunities in both countries.

Most of these activities focused on trade cooperation, science and technology, sustainable development, environmental protection and people-to-people exchanges. The meeting between President Alexander Stubb and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the afternoon of October 29 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing was the highlight as it consolidated what had been done and opened a new framework for cooperation to realize deeper cooperation in the future.

Emphasizing that Finland was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with China and sign an intergovernmental trade agreement, President Xi Jinping called this a "model diplomatic relationship" based on mutual respect, equal treatment, and consideration of core interests.

He affirmed that this “new type of future-oriented” partnership and cooperation needs to be cherished and promoted, especially when the world “is undergoing rapid changes unprecedented in centuries and humanity is facing increasingly greater difficulties and challenges.”

The Chinese leader stressed that China will deepen cooperation with Finland in many aspects, from emerging fields such as green transformation, information technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy, to promoting tourism and people-to-people exchanges, clearly demonstrated by the Chinese government's visa exemption for Finnish citizens.

The two sides also witnessed the signing of many documents on education, water resources, environmental protection, circular economy and agricultural products, with the focus being on a joint plan to promote a “new type of future-oriented” partnership and cooperation for the 2025-2029 period.

For his part, recalling his first meeting with Xi Jinping in 2009, Finnish President Alexander Stubb affirmed that China has “developed at an unimaginable speed over the past 15 years.” The leader affirmed that the two countries have always respected, treated each other sincerely, and maintained dialogue on an equal basis over the past 74 years.

Stressing that Finland continues to adhere to the “One China” principle, Stubb said Helsinki hopes to increase high-level delegation exchanges, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and promote substantive cooperation in trade, green energy and sustainable development, especially as the two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on this day next year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Finnish President Alexander Stubb review an honor guard at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, October 29. (Source: Reuters)

Ukraine, electric cars are a "hot" spot

Regarding regional and international issues, the European guest highly appreciated the influence and contribution of the Asian power in proposing new initiatives, promoting equality among nations, addressing global challenges and expanding cooperation for a more peaceful and stable world.

Affirming that China and the European Union (EU) are closely linked economically, he stressed that “separation, disruption of industrial and supply chains” or a new cold war would not benefit either side. Finland is also willing to contribute to the development of China-EU relations.

However, Finnish President Alexander Stubb did not hesitate to mention “hot” issues during his visit. The leader said he had discussed with President Xi Jinping the information about the presence of North Korean troops and weapons in Russia, considering this an “act of provocation, escalation and expansion” of current tensions.

“The more China supports Russia, the more difficult Beijing’s relations with Europe, and the EU in particular, will become,” he warned. This could further erode China-EU relations, which have been strained since the EU imposed heavy tariffs on foreign-made electric vehicles, including those made in China, with the highest rate being 45.3 percent; the law officially took effect on October 30. The two sides also discussed the incident in which a Hong Kong-registered cargo ship damaged the Balticconnector gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia.

In response, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his stance on the situation in Ukraine and the conflict in the Gaza Strip, stressing that Beijing is willing to continue working with Helsinki and relevant parties towards a peaceful resolution of the disputes.

Meanwhile, when receiving Mr. Stubb, Prime Minister Li Qiang called on Finland to “create a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, and make positive contributions to strengthening the healthy development of economic and trade relations between China and Europe.” This statement was apparently referring to the EU’s electric vehicle tax law that took effect on October 30.

On that basis, efforts to implement the framework of a “new type of future-oriented” partnership and cooperation not only aim to comprehensively strengthen bilateral cooperation, but also contribute to finding solutions to “hot” issues for both Finland and China, contributing to strengthening peace and stability in the region and the world.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tong-thong-phan-lan-tham-trung-quoc-tim-khuon-kho-moi-291936.html