Finland-China: Pressure reducing valve

Besides boosting bilateral relations, Finnish President Alexander Stubb's visit to China also contributed to stabilizing China-European Union (EU) relations during a time of global upheaval.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Beijing, October 29. (Source: THX)

As one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations and sign a trade agreement with China, Finland maintains stable and healthy relations with Beijing. China is now Finland's largest trading partner in Asia, with bilateral trade reaching $8.2 billion in 2023.

Finland is world-renowned for its research and development capabilities, particularly excelling in fields such as information technology, healthcare, and environmental energy. Meanwhile, China offers a vast market and diverse manufacturing base, creating a dynamic environment for cooperation between the two countries.

The two countries have strong economic complementarity. Therefore, despite the fluctuations in China-EU relations due to trade disputes and international governance, Finland maintains a relatively balanced stance. Unlike other European countries, Helsinki does not support imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Against that positive backdrop, Alexander Stubb's visit went smoothly. Numerous agreements were signed, opening opportunities for enhanced cooperation in various fields such as sustainable development, green transition, digital economy, and artificial intelligence. The model combining Finland's advanced technological advancements with China's vast manufacturing capabilities will be elevated to a new level.

Against the backdrop of Europe becoming more cautious in its dealings with China, Finland's success in maintaining a skillful stance and policy in dealing with major powers like China contributes to easing tensions in EU-China relations. This would be a necessary de-escalator when China-EU relations become strained.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/phan-lan-trung-quoc-van-giam-ap-292059.html