Stubb, Xi discuss bilateral trade, situation in Ukraine, Middle East

President Alexander Stubb and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Tuesday met in Beijing and discussed various bilateral and international issues including situation in Ukraine and Middle East.

They discussed bilateral trade relations between Finland and China and the UN reform, climate change and the environment, said the Finnish President Office in a press release.

Stubb affirmed that Finland values the stable and constructive relationship with China. Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On Tuesday, the Joint Action Plan to promote the bilateral partnership between China and Finland was renewed. The new plan covers the period 2025–2029.

Nine government memoranda of understanding and fifteen trade agreements will be signed during the state visit.

A central topic of the presidents' talks was Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I think it is important to have the opportunity to review the situation directly with the Chinese President and to present Finland's views. There are high international expectations of China as Russia continues its war of aggression", said Stubb.

During the talks, Stubb stressed that the Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine undermines European security and is also a threat to Finland.

Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine led to Finland's accession to NATO. Stubb underlined the importance of China not exporting weapons or components for weapons production to enable Russia's illegal war of aggression. Any support, direct or indirect, for Russia's war of aggression will prolong the war.

"We also discussed with President Xi the possible prospects for peace in Ukraine. I pointed out that peace cannot be negotiated without Ukraine", Stubb added.

The situation in the Middle East and the relationship between the European Union and China were also discussed.

Stubb noted that China's support for Russia's war of aggression also has a negative impact on the relationship between China and the EU. Finland's aims for the EU and China to have a constructive relationship.

President Stubb said that the situation in the Middle East is extremely worrying. There should be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. A lasting peace based on the two-state model requires determined efforts by the international community.

The presidents also discussed the human rights situation in China and the fact that human rights are a central part of Finland's foreign policy and values.

Stubb is currently on a state visit to China. The state visit will continue on Wednesday in Shanghai.

News Agency Xinhua adds: China welcomes Finland to actively participate in the Chinese modernization process and expand cooperation in emerging industries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks as he held talks with visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Beijing.

He called on both sides to expand cooperation in green transformation, information technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy, and build a new pattern of mutually beneficial cooperation in the new era.

Xi noted that Finland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China and the first Western country to sign an intergovernmental trade agreement with China.

"As the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century and the risks and challenges facing humanity are increasing, the future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership between China and Finland holds exceptional value and should be cherished and advanced," Xi said.

China-Finland practical cooperation got off to an early start, has yielded fruitful results and demonstrates great potential, he said.

China is willing to further expand people-to-people exchanges with Finland, and has decided to apply the unilateral visa-free policy to Finland, he added, noting that China welcomes more Finnish friends to visit for business, tourism and study.

Xi said both China and Finland love peace and advocate multilateralism and free trade, adding that China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Finland on climate change, biodiversity conservation, global sustainable development, artificial intelligence governance and other issues.

Noting that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union (EU), Xi called on Finland to continue to play an active role in promoting the sound and stable development of China-EU ties.

Stubb said he is very pleased to visit China shortly after taking office and meet with Xi again after 14 years.

He noted that the global landscape has changed profoundly since their last meeting and China has made remarkable accomplishments.

Finland abides by the one-China policy and is willing to have a good celebration with China of their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, Stubb said.

He added that Finland will work with China to deepen practical cooperation in areas like economy and trade, green energy, and sustainable development.

Finland appreciates the major initiatives and concepts proposed by China to address global challenges, and will advance multilateral exchanges and coordination with China, Stubb said.

The economies of the EU and China are closely interconnected, and "decoupling" or a "new Cold War" is not in the interest of any party, Stubb said, noting that Finland is willing to play an active role in promoting the sound development of EU-China relations.

The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis and the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Xi expressed China's readiness to work with all concerned parties, including Finland, to continue playing a positive role in promoting a peaceful settlement of the crises.