Chinese President Xi Jinping told Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo that China is willing to work with Finland to defend a U.N.-centred international order and to promote a multipolar world rooted in economic globalisation. The visit takes place as European countries diversify ties amid unpredictable U.S. policy and rising concern over Arctic security after comments about Greenland. Xi urged cooperation on energy transition, agriculture and forestry, while Finnish leaders pressed China on undersea infrastructure incidents and North Korea's ties to Russia.
Xi Urges China and Finland To Uphold U.N.-Centred Order And Advance Multipolar World
Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo talks to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, January 27, 2026. Vincent Thian/Pool via REUTERS
BEIJING, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping told Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Tuesday that Beijing is ready to work with Helsinki to uphold a U.N.-centred international system and to promote a multipolar world grounded in economic globalisation, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Xi said China hoped Finland would play a constructive role in fostering healthy, stable China-EU relations. He also urged deeper bilateral cooperation in areas such as the energy transition, agriculture and forestry, and welcomed Finnish companies to "swim freely" in the "vast ocean" of China's market.
Chinese President Xi Jinping talks to Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo during a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, January 27, 2026. Vincent Thian/Pool via REUTERS
Orpo, who is in Beijing from Jan. 25 to Jan. 28, said he welcomed ongoing discussions on bilateral cooperation and international issues and reiterated Finland's interest in high-level exchanges. He referenced "candid and constructive talks" that Xi held with Finland's president during a 2024 state visit.
The visit comes as several European countries seek to diversify foreign ties amid unpredictable U.S. policy under President Donald Trump. It also follows heightened attention to Arctic security after comments by Trump about Greenland drew international scrutiny.
Chinese President Xi Jinping talks to Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo during the bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, January 27, 2026. Vincent Thian/Pool via REUTERS
Arctic security is a growing strategic concern for Finland and its NATO partners. About one-third of Finland's territory lies above the Arctic Circle, while China, which describes itself as a "near-Arctic state," has outlined plans for a so‑called "Polar Silk Road." Melting ice is opening faster shipping lanes that could cut transit times between Asia and Europe by nearly half, increasing the region's economic and strategic importance.
In separate talks, Finland's President Alexander Stubb raised incidents involving damage to undersea power cables, gas pipelines and telecommunications infrastructure in which Chinese-registered vessels have been implicated. One case includes a Chinese ship captain who faces allegations of criminal damage in a Hong Kong court. Stubb also expressed concern about reports of North Korean support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which NATO and the EU view as a provocative development.
Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, arrives to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, January 27, 2026. Vincent Thian/Pool via REUTERS
Orpo repeated an earlier invitation for Xi to visit Finland at a mutually convenient time and said Finland's speaker of parliament, Jussi Halla-aho, had invited top Chinese lawmaker Zhao Leji to visit Finland.
(Reporting by Colleen Howe; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Michael Perry)
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