Finland's ambassador calls PM Orpo's China visit successful, says 'pragmatic' Finland hopes EU-China ties will improve
Finnish Ambassador to China Mikko Kinnunen speaks at a press briefing on January 28, 2026 at the Embassy of Finland in Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of the Finnish Embassy to China
One of the most important achievements of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's China visit is about "dialogue" itself, conveying Finland's views and understanding China's logic, Finnish Ambassador to China Mikko Kinnunen told the Global Times at a press briefing on Wednesday.
At the event, the ambassador first addressed the briefing and took questions from a handful of news outlets, mostly Chinese media. The ambassador saw off Prime Minister Orpo, who just concluded a four-day visit, at the airport on Wednesday.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Kinnunen briefed outcomes of the visit and said it was "successful." He later elaborated that the prime minister's visit delivered concrete political and economic results, including high-level discussions on global security and EU-China relations, the signing of multiple cooperation agreements, and 11 commercial deals that support Finnish exports and market access in China.
Along with the prime minister were with executives from more than 20 Finnish companies, spanning Finland's strengths in machinery, forestry, innovation, clean energy and food, per media reports. This is an indication of "their commitment to long-term cooperation with China," said Kinnunen.
On China-EU relations in particular, Kinunen said that Finland is an EU member and it participates in EU decision-making, Prime Minister of Finland meets once a month at the European Council with other European prime ministers, but "I think Finland is a pragmatic member of the EU."
"Our aim is that the relations between EU and China would improve," Kinnunen said.
Later when addressing a question that whether Finland is willing to play a more active mediation role given the trade issues between China and the EU, the ambassador repeated the word "pragmatic."
"When Finland decides about Finland's role in the EU, we approach it from our own interests. It is Finland's own national interest that defines our behavior within the EU," Kinnunen said.
When the decision is reached among the 27 countries of the EU, or when there's a commission trade decision, we abide by it because we are part of the EU, but Finland is a "very pragmatic" and rather "easygoing" country in many issues. "I think pragmatism should be a useful thing as well," Kinnunen noted.
When answering a question from the Global Times about Finland's perspective on the latest trend of Western leaders visiting or planning to visit China, Kinnunen said Finland engages with China out of its national interests and having to do with international situations and support for Finnish companies.
Recent high-level visits reflect the understanding that dialogue with China remains essential for addressing global challenges, while ensuring that engagement is based on reciprocity, a level playing field, and respect for international rules, the ambassador said.
At the event, the ambassador first addressed the briefing and took questions from a handful of news outlets, mostly Chinese media. The ambassador saw off Prime Minister Orpo, who just concluded a four-day visit, at the airport on Wednesday.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Kinnunen briefed outcomes of the visit and said it was "successful." He later elaborated that the prime minister's visit delivered concrete political and economic results, including high-level discussions on global security and EU-China relations, the signing of multiple cooperation agreements, and 11 commercial deals that support Finnish exports and market access in China.
Along with the prime minister were with executives from more than 20 Finnish companies, spanning Finland's strengths in machinery, forestry, innovation, clean energy and food, per media reports. This is an indication of "their commitment to long-term cooperation with China," said Kinnunen.
On China-EU relations in particular, Kinunen said that Finland is an EU member and it participates in EU decision-making, Prime Minister of Finland meets once a month at the European Council with other European prime ministers, but "I think Finland is a pragmatic member of the EU."
"Our aim is that the relations between EU and China would improve," Kinnunen said.
Later when addressing a question that whether Finland is willing to play a more active mediation role given the trade issues between China and the EU, the ambassador repeated the word "pragmatic."
"When Finland decides about Finland's role in the EU, we approach it from our own interests. It is Finland's own national interest that defines our behavior within the EU," Kinnunen said.
When the decision is reached among the 27 countries of the EU, or when there's a commission trade decision, we abide by it because we are part of the EU, but Finland is a "very pragmatic" and rather "easygoing" country in many issues. "I think pragmatism should be a useful thing as well," Kinnunen noted.
When answering a question from the Global Times about Finland's perspective on the latest trend of Western leaders visiting or planning to visit China, Kinnunen said Finland engages with China out of its national interests and having to do with international situations and support for Finnish companies.
Recent high-level visits reflect the understanding that dialogue with China remains essential for addressing global challenges, while ensuring that engagement is based on reciprocity, a level playing field, and respect for international rules, the ambassador said.
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