China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing on January 27, 2026, reaffirming bilateral commitments to deepen political trust and economic collaboration. The meeting marked a significant step in advancing the "future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership" established through a 2024 consensus between the two nations' leaders.
Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, emphasized Finland's historic role as one of the first Western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China. He highlighted ongoing efforts to expand cooperation in trade, innovation, and cultural exchanges while proposing enhanced legislative collaboration between the NPC and Finnish parliament.
Prime Minister Orpo reiterated Finland's adherence to the one-China policy and expressed enthusiasm for strengthening technological partnerships. The leaders discussed creating legal frameworks to support joint ventures in green energy and digital infrastructure – sectors where both countries have demonstrated global leadership.
This dialogue comes as China continues to expand its European partnerships following recent trade agreements with Nordic countries. Analysts suggest the strengthened China-Finland relationship could serve as a model for balancing economic cooperation with respect for differing governance systems.
