Editor’s Note
Elegantly dressed in formal attire, there’s a group of people, who always actively engage in important diplomatic and foreign affairs events. Despite their busy schedule, they take time to explore the vibrant streets and alleys of Beijing, immersing themselves in the history and cultural allure of this modern metropolis. Who are they? They are ambassadors representing over 170 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, in China.
Curious about their impressions of Beijing? Which popular tourist attractions have they visited, and what cuisines do they like? Do they prefer unwinding at a cafe in Sanlitun, cycling along the riverbanks, or taking leisurely strolls after work? Moreover, what messages do they wish to convey to the people of Beijing?
To explore these questions, the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office has partnered with Beijing Daily and Beijing Radio & Television Station to create the “Beijing in the Eyes of Ambassadors” series. In today’s edition, Mikko Kinnunen, Finnish Ambassador to China, will share his Beijing story.
Mikko Kinnunen, Finnish Ambassador to China
“China is advancing toward a great modern country. To come here to work and live at this moment, and to encounter the city of Beijing, has been a colorful and fascinating experience,” said Kinnunen, who assumed office as Finnish Ambassador to China in 2024. He spoke with heartfelt admiration, noting that Beijing is not only a vast modern metropolis but also an international stage full of opportunities and vitality. “The pace of construction and development here is truly amazing!”
Discovering Surprises Everywhere
The Finnish Ambassador’s residence is located near Ritan Park on Guanghua Road in Beijing, in one of the city’s first embassy areas developed after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Finland was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. Since the 1950s, many diplomats from the “Land of a Thousand Lakes” have left their mark here.
Kinnunen is no exception. In his spare time, he loves wandering through Beijing’s streets and alleys, discovering the city on foot. “There are always surprises around every corner. It is a fascinating experience, one that helps me see Beijing from different perspectives,” he said. Recently, he took part in a history-themed “city walk”. His “wish list” also includes exploring different sections of the Great Wall, revisiting the Summer Palace, and hiking with friends in Badachu Park in Shijingshan District.
From the windows of the embassy on Xinyuan South Road, one can see the Liangma River meandering not far away. It is Kinnunen’s go-to place for a leisurely walk. In 2019, Chaoyang District launched a comprehensive restoration project for the Liangma River, aiming to turn it into an international waterfront. Today, the area has become a popular destination for “city walks” in Beijing. “My colleagues told me about the changes along the Liangma River. After the renovation project, the water became clearer and the banks greener, turning the area into a scenic urban waterfront. I really like it there,” he said.
The transformation of the Liangma River has also allowed him to experience firsthand Beijing’s governance capacity as a super-large city. Kinnunen noted that Beijing’s permanent resident population is about 3.8 times that of Finland, yet the city always operates efficiently and in an orderly manner—something he found deeply impressive.
Promising Prospects for Economic and Trade Exchanges
Finland is one of China’s important economic and trade partners in Europe, and the first European country to sign an intergovernmental trade agreement with China. In 2025, bilateral trade between China and Finland exceeded USD 8 billion, while the stock of two-way investment surpassed USD 23 billion. Enterprises from both countries have shown continued enthusiasm for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Kinnunen believes that the enormous potential of the Chinese market is highly attractive to Finnish enterprises. At the same time, China’s well-developed infrastructure and complete, efficient industrial chains are also important reasons why many Finnish enterprises choose to invest and grow in the country. He said that around 250 Finnish enterprises are currently operating in China, ranging from large corporations to medium-sized, small and micro enterprises. Many elevators in Beijing’s landmark buildings bear Finnish brand names.
In November 2024, China began implementing a unilateral visa-free policy for Finland. In March this year, a direct flight route between Beijing Daxing International Airport and Helsinki was launched. Kinnunen said that these measures have accelerated bilateral cooperation in culture and tourism, as well as economy and trade. He described them as remarkable and positive steps that benefit not only tourists visiting China but also businesspeople, who often need to travel at short notice for trade and business exchanges.
Click the video for Ambassador Kinnunen’s impressions of Beijing.
Willing to Further Promote Exchanges and Cooperation in Multiple Fields
In late January this year, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo led a delegation of executives from more than 20 enterprises to China. During the visit, representatives of Chinese and Finnish enterprises signed a number of commercial agreements on cooperation in areas such as innovation, green development and digitalization. Kinnunen said this has set a positive tone for bilateral exchanges and cooperation this year.
During the interview, Kinnunen enthusiastically shared examples of bilateral cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). He noted that not long ago, the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the China Meteorological Administration reached an agreement to strengthen exchanges on AI application in meteorological technology, which will open up new avenues for bilateral collaboration. Finnish energy companies are also working with Chinese partners to explore the use of AI in optimizing urban heating systems. “These are just two examples. I believe more outcomes will be delivered in the future.”
When speaking about the robotics industry, which is currently drawing wide attention, Kinnunen said candidly that beyond undertaking some basic tasks in factories, he also hopes to see robots applied in more practical scenarios. He envisioned that in cold mountainous areas with complex terrain, the challenging work of power infrastructure maintenance might one day be carried out by robots.
Kinnunen said that as Finnish Ambassador to China, he will also work to promote cultural exchanges, hoping to bring Finnish-style sauna culture and ice hockey activities to Beijing.
At the same time, Kinnunen is committed to promoting Finland’s cultural and tourism resources. When speaking of his hometown, Helsinki, his affection for the city was palpable. “Located on Finland’s southern coast, Helsinki boasts beautiful scenery, as well as many excellent museums and art galleries. If you go hiking in the suburbs, you may even come across wild animals such as foxes. I highly recommend a trip to Finland.”
