The year 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the China-Finland Governmental Trade Agreement. Chinese Ambassador to Finland Wang Tongqing recently stated in an interview that over the past 70 years, tangible benefits have been brought to the people of both China and Finland in the fields of trade, investment, and connectivity. In addition, Finland’s green economy and silver economy, with unique strengths, represent the direction of future cooperation between the two countries.

Finland is among the first Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with China, and is the first Western country to sign an inter-governmental trade agreement with China and open direct flights to China. In the 70-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, being stable has been a prominent feature of China-Finland relations. In 2017, China and Finland decided to establish a new type of future-oriented partnership, which was unique in China’s foreign relations.

Ambassador Wang said that China-Finland economic and trade cooperation is in the common interest of both countries, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples. China and Finland are each other’s major trading partner, with increasingly frequent two-way investments. As China-Finland cooperation on transportation is steadily advancing, the transportation network has been constantly improved. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the inter-governmental trade agreement between China and Finland, some celebratory events were held, such as seminars and receptions. Most of the participating Chinese and Finnish companies have expressed their commitment to staying in each other’s market, fully demonstrating the resilience of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. At the same time, Finland is an important Belt and Road partner. The two countries have strong complementarity with a solid foundation and enormous potential for cooperation. In the new era and under new circumstances, China and Finland need to leverage the Belt and Road Initiative to deepen pragmatic cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, clean technology, transportation, communication, circular economy, healthcare, elderly care, digital economy, and winter sports. The two sides will stay committed to the China-Finland five-pronged approach within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Currently, climate change has become an important issue facing the globe. Finland has enjoyed unique strengths in transitioning to a green economy. In addition, cooperation in the silver economy has been a focus of discussion in the business community in China and Finland.

Ambassador Wang emphasized that China attaches great importance to climate change and has put forward the ambitious goal of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. China is committed to fulfilling its commitments and values cooperation with Finland in areas such as the green economy. China expects to work with Finland to implement the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Meanwhile, long committed to exploring diversified models in elderly care, Finland stands at the forefront of technological innovation in this industry. Its rich experience in relevant fields can provide valuable references for China’s development in industries such as smart elderly care. Looking ahead, Chinese enterprises should continue to explore active and pragmatic cooperation with the Finnish elderly care industry in terms of technology and market, further boosting the development of China’s silver economy.