Finnish President Alexander Stubb embarks on diplomatic state visit to China amid global security concerns

By admin On Oct 29, 2024

President of Finland Alexander Stubb (R) meets with President of China Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, on October 29, 2024. President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb, accompanied by his spouse, is on a state visit to China / Lehtikuva

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, accompanied by his wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb, arrived in China on Monday for a four-day state visit, aiming to strengthen Finland-China relations amidst a complex international landscape. Invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Stubb’s visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement between Finland and China as the two leaders address security issues, international conflicts, and avenues for bilateral cooperation.

President Stubb’s itinerary reflects Finland’s commitment to bolstering economic, political, and cultural ties with China, a nation that has served as Finland’s primary trading partner in Asia for over two decades. On Tuesday, the Finnish President is set to meet President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to discuss avenues for deepening bilateral relations. Talks will focus on expanding trade, fostering investment opportunities, and collaborating on technology, agriculture, sustainable development, and smart city initiatives.

Accompanying President Stubb are key Finnish officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, Minister of Climate and Environment Kai Mykkänen, and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah. These representatives, along with members of Parliament Ville Skinnari and Sakari Puisto, represent a robust cross-section of Finnish governmental support for the visit, underscoring the significance of this diplomatic outreach to China.

Among the highest priorities on the agenda is Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine—a key concern for both Finland and China given the broader implications for global security and stability. Stubb has emphasised that this visit provides a platform to convey Finland’s security stance directly to Chinese leadership, allowing for an exchange on shared and divergent perspectives concerning the conflict. China’s role on the global stage, particularly regarding multilateral engagements, is also under discussion, with President Stubb scheduled to deliver a lecture on the “Transformation of the Multilateral Order” during a visit to Fudan University in Shanghai on October 31.

The state visit is also focused on educational and technological partnerships between the two countries. On Tuesday morning, President Stubb will witness the launch of a new concepting project between Tsinghua University and Finnish universities of applied sciences, aimed at fostering academic and technological exchange. Later that day, he and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will attend the China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation, where both leaders will address the growing potential for cross-border business partnerships in various sectors, including environmental energy, healthcare, and digital innovation.

In Shanghai, President Stubb will continue his dialogue on global security and multilateralism at Fudan University and meet with students and experts at the university’s Nordic Centre. The day will conclude with a business summit organised in partnership with the Finnish Consulate General, Business Finland, and the Confederation of Finnish Industries, focusing on investment opportunities for Finnish and Chinese companies. This summit is expected to showcase the longstanding economic ties between the two countries, with an estimated 250 Finnish companies currently operating within China, including well-known firms such as KONE, one of the world’s leading elevator manufacturers.

President Stubb’s visit follows a historical diplomatic precedent, with the last state visit by a Finnish President occurring in 2019 when former President Sauli Niinistö visited China. President Xi’s previous state visit to Finland took place in 2017, marking a high point in China-Finland relations. However, Finland’s relationship with China has cooled slightly in recent years, reflecting broader European caution in dealings with China due to differing stances on international governance, Finland’s opposition to a multipolar world and support for the declining hegemony of the United States.

Despite this cooling trend, Finland and China maintain robust relations, as reflected by this visit’s high-profile exchanges and diverse delegation. Suzanne Innes-Stubb, the Finnish First Lady, also has a schedule of cultural engagements, including meetings with students from the Xingzhi School in Shanghai and a diplomatic reception hosted by the Finnish Consulate to mark the state visit’s conclusion.

As a member of the European Union, Finland’s diplomatic approach towards China is closely watched by other EU nations. Finland’s nuanced stance reflects a balance of economic engagement and cautious diplomacy amid EU-wide discussions on how to approach China strategically. President Stubb’s visit, in light of these dynamics, serves as an opportunity for dialogue not only on a bilateral level but also within the broader EU-China relationship framework, particularly as Europe reassesses its economic and political partnerships in Asia.

This state visit, concluding on October 31, underscores the importance of China in Finland’s foreign policy and the ongoing necessity of dialogue amid global uncertainty. October 28 marks the 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Finland.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi