Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday reaffirmed China’s commitment to a world order centered around the United Nations. He made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Great Hall of the People.
Xi said that China is ready to work with Finland to uphold international rules and norms with the UN at its core. He emphasized the importance of multilateralism and maintaining global stability.
The statement comes amid international discussions on U.S. President Donald Trump’s new initiative, the “Board of Peace.” The plan has raised concerns that it could create a rival to the United Nations. Xi did not comment directly on the U.S. initiative but stressed that a UN-centered system is crucial for world peace and cooperation.
Prime Minister Orpo, who is on a four-day visit to China, said he looked forward to discussing global issues with Xi. He also mentioned the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between Finland and China.
This visit is part of a broader trend. In recent weeks, several Western leaders have visited Beijing. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron met Chinese leaders. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to visit later this week. These visits come as U.S. allies seek stable partnerships amid changing U.S. foreign policies.
Despite positive diplomatic engagement, differences remain. Finland and China have conflicting views on Russia’s war in Ukraine. Finland has raised concerns about China’s growing influence in the Arctic. Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said in November that China was “massively” supporting Russia’s military actions.
China, however, maintains a neutral position on the Ukraine conflict. The country has continued trading with Russia and has not condemned Moscow’s invasion. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for stronger collective defense measures for Finland and other Arctic nations to counter rising influence from Russia and China.
