PM arrives in Beijing, meeting with Xi Jinping on Tuesday

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo arrived in Beijing, China on Sunday on a four-day visit, according to the Prime Minister Office and Xinhua.

The Premier will meet with President of China Xi Jinping, his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang, who is hosting the official visit, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji on January 27.

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.

Finland and China have long-standing, stable relations. President 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.

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

In connection with the visit, the Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation between Finland and China will organise a meeting, where Orpo will deliver an address.