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According to [Finland’s ambassador to China, Mikko] Kinnunen, China’s perceived support for Russia’s war remains “the most problematic issue in Finnish-Chinese relations.”
The comments come shortly after Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen warned that China’s relationship with Russia could make future trade agreements between the EU and China more difficult.
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According to Kinnunen, meetings between top political leaders carry particular importance in China, where high-level political relations play a bigger role than in many European countries.
Finland therefore still sees value in maintaining direct contact with China’s leadership – even as relations between Europe and China become increasingly strained over trade, security and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“It is important to have solid functioning relations so that you have a possibility to engage,” Kinnunen said.
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