Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

　　BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday welcomes Finnish enterprises to "take a swim in the vast ocean of the Chinese market" to enhance their global competitiveness.

　　Xi made the remarks in his meeting in Beijing with visiting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, calling on both sides to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as energy transition, circular economy, agriculture and forestry industries, and scientific and technological innovation.

　　Xi pointed out that Finland was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People"s Republic of China. Over the past 76 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Finland relations, characterized by mutual respect, equality, future orientation and win-win cooperation, have achieved steady growth regardless of how the international landscape has evolved, he added.

　　Noting this year marks the beginning of China"s 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said China will continue to advance high-quality development and expand high-standard opening up to the rest of the world.

　　Finland is a powerhouse in winter sports, and China has also emerged as a major winter sports nation, Xi said, calling on both sides to promote exchanges and cooperation in this area to carry forward their winter sports friendship.

　　He welcomes more Finnish people to visit China and experience its blend of ancient heritage and modern vitality.