Wang Yi Speaks with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on the Phone

On July 19, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto at the latter's request.

Haavisto said, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto attaches great importance to the friendship between Finland and China, and the sound relationship between the two heads of state has injected strong impetus into bilateral cooperation. The Joint Committee on Trade and Economy between the two countries has carried out productive work, and the Finnish business community, having specifically set up a China Office, looks forward to expanding business in China. Finland will continue to pursue the one-China principle, and stands ready to expand economic and trade cooperation, and resume more flights to facilitate business and personnel exchanges. China plays an indispensable role in economic recovery, ecological conservation and environmental protection, and other global issues. Finland is ready to expand bilateral cooperation in fields such as climate change, green transformation, and circular economy.

Haavisto said, Finland supports the European Union (EU) and China in developing a strong partnership, and advocates candid dialogue and equal-footed and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides. Haavisto explained Finland's application for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership, saying that NATO will stick to the positioning of a defensive alliance.

Wang Yi said, under the guidance of the two heads of state, China-Finland relations have maintained a sound momentum. The two sides have carried out equal-footed exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation. We have seen sustained China-Europe freight trains service on the China-Finland route and important progress made in the China-Finland Joint Work Plan. China is ready to work with Finland to implement the plan in an all-round and high-quality manner, and continue to deepen cooperation in economy, trade, investment, scientific and technological innovation, green development, connectivity, winter sports and other fields. It's important to make good use of the China-Finland Joint Committee on Trade and Economy and other cooperation mechanisms to further release the cooperation potential. Sticking to targeted pandemic prevention and control measures, China will resume personnel exchanges in an orderly manner, and speed up the resumption of work and production. China firmly pursues a path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development, will continue to participate in global cooperation on climate change in an all-round manner, and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Finland.

Wang Yi stressed, China-Finland relations are at the forefront of China's bilateral relations with Europe, especially with Nordic countries. The key is respecting each other and consolidating mutual trust. China appreciates Finland's adherence to the one-China principle, and believes that the Finnish side will continue to adopt an objective and prudent attitude on China-related affairs, and safeguard the overall interests of bilateral relations.

Wang Yi said, the establishment and development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership is the result of the concerted and painstaking efforts of both sides. China and the EU have always been cooperative partners rather than rivals. It goes against the interests of both sides to hype up and even create confrontation between China and the EU. China hopes and believes that Finland will continue to play a constructive role in the EU.

The two sides expressed concern over the challenges to global food and energy security brought by the spillover of the Ukraine crisis. Wang Yi stressed, all parties should work together to cope with global risks caused by the crisis, jointly promote the security of food, energy and finance, maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and support vulnerable developing countries in tiding over difficulties.