UPDATE - China's Xi backs UN system in talks with Finnish premier amid tensions in Arctic region over Greenland

​​​​​​​ADDS STATEMENT FROM CHINA; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Berk Kutay Gokmen and Islamuddin Sajid

ISTANBUL/ISLAMABAD (AA) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday expressed support for the UN-centered international system during his talks with visiting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing amid ongoing tensions in the Arctic region over Greenland.

China and Finland ”should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and nurture more fruits in areas such as energy transition, the circular economy, agriculture and forestry, and scientific and technological innovation,” Xi told Orpo.

Xi expressed China’s readiness to “work with Finland to firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, respond to global challenges together, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world.”

His remarks came amid tensions in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s ambitions to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland.

He noted that China and the EU are “partners, not rivals,” and expressed hope for Finland to “play its constructive role in promoting the healthy and steady development of China-Europe relations,” according to a transcript from the Chinese Foreign Ministry website.

During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed issues, including enhancing cooperation in different sectors such as trade and the economy.

Orpo arrived in China on Sunday for a four-day visit.

On Monday, Chinese and Finnish enterprises signed several agreements on cooperation in innovation, green development, and digitalization.

Speaking on the occasion, Orpo said that China is a vital trade partner and export market for his country.

"Finland supports free trade and fair competition, and looks forward to enhanced mutual trust and reduced trade barriers between the European Union and China," he said.

Finland established diplomatic ties with Beijing in the early 1950s.

The bilateral trade volume exceeded $8 billion in 2025, while two-way investment surpassed $23 billion.