Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to Beijing, emphasizing Beijing’s willingness to enhance trust, strengthen communication, and deepen economic cooperation with Finland.

Xi invited Finnish businesses to “swim freely” in China’s market and highlighted collaboration on energy transition, agriculture, and forestry.

The leaders also discussed upholding the international system under the UN and promoting a multipolar world.

During the visit, Finnish officials met with Chinese commerce leaders, who urged Finland to oppose protectionism and support a predictable environment for Chinese companies, alongside signing a business cooperation deal, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Orpo is accompanied by executives from over 20 Finnish companies, as Finland remains China’s largest Asian trading partner and one of its earliest Western diplomatic partners.