Finland's Diplomatic Overtures: President Stubb's Crucial China Visit

Finland's President Alexander Stubb will visit China from Oct. 28-31 to discuss bilateral relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and security issues, including the Balticconnector pipeline incident. Finnish police suspect the pipeline was damaged by a dragged anchor, raising energy security concerns.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb is set to embark on a state visit to China from October 28 to 31. The Finnish government announced Wednesday that Stubb will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials during his visit.

In addition to discussing bilateral relations, Stubb's agenda includes addressing concerns about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and various security issues. Notably, Finland and China have been engaged in diplomatic discussions since last October regarding the potential involvement of a Hong Kong-registered cargo vessel in damaging the Balticconnector gas pipeline.

The Finnish police's investigation concluded that the damage was likely caused by an anchor dragged across the pipeline, posing significant threats to Finland's energy security and leading to an expensive six-month repair process. This matter has required the intricate diplomatic efforts of all parties involved, as noted by Stubb's predecessor, Sauli Niinisto, upon his retirement in March.

(With inputs from agencies.)