Chinese Premier Li Qiang, in talks with visiting Finnish Prime Minister Orpo, stated that with the current rise of unilateralism and protectionism globally, and the impact on the world economy, China and Finland should join hands to uphold an open and cooperative international economic and trade order, and safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.
According to China News Service, on the afternoon of the 27th, Li Qiang held talks with Orpo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Li Qiang said that China is willing to work together with Finland to promote the friendly tradition between the two countries, adhere to mutual respect and equality, and continue to deepen and solidify the forward-looking, new type of partnership between China and Finland.
Li Qiang stated that China is willing to further strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Finland, better leverage the complementary advantages of both economies, unlock the full potential of bilateral trade, make good use of platforms such as the China-Finland Science and Technology Joint Committee and High-tech Matchmaking Meetings, and deepen cooperation in fields such as communications, clean technology, special vessel construction, new-type urban development, and life and health.
Orpo stated that Finland-China relations have developed stably over a long period, and in recent years high-level exchanges have continued and economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results. China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in economic and social development as well as scientific and technological innovation and plays an important role in international affairs. Finland is committed to continuously deepening its relationship with China, is willing to enhance high-level visits and exchanges at all levels, and, based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit, deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, and other fields as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The Finnish government welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Finland and is willing to create a favorable environment for this. With the current international order facing severe challenges, Finland is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on multilateral issues such as climate change and sustainable development, and jointly uphold free trade and the multilateral trading system. Good development of China-EU relations is important to both sides, and Finland is willing to play a constructive role in advancing China-EU relations.
The report noted that after the talks, Li Qiang and Orpo jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in fields such as science and technology, housing and urban development, customs, culture and tourism, and economic and trade.