Overview
- China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Petteri Orpo will visit January 25–28 for meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji.
- Orpo is expected to travel with a delegation of more than 20 Finnish business leaders, according to Human Rights Watch.
- Beijing says it aims to deepen high-level exchanges, strengthen political trust, expand economic and trade cooperation, and promote cultural ties with Finland.
- Human Rights Watch urges Orpo to press Beijing on abuses, citing alleged crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and warning of supply-chain exposure ahead of the EU’s forced-labor import ban taking effect in late 2027.
- Finland and China have a 2025–2029 Joint Action Plan emphasizing innovation, green technology, and trade, which critics say gives only vague attention to human rights.