In a bold call ahead of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s upcoming China visit, Human Rights Watch is pressing him to spotlight Beijing’s severe human rights violations. The four-day trip, kicking off Sunday, arrives amid a wave of European leaders engaging China primarily for business gains.
‘Far beyond diplomatic pleasantries, this journey will reveal if Finland prioritizes its foundational principles like democracy and rights protection in a multipolar world,’ HRW stated. Leaders from Ireland, Sweden, France, Germany, and Canada recently focused on commerce during their trips, brushing aside grave concerns.
Nations are eager to broaden trade links and lessen US dependency, but HRW cautions that overt alignment with China’s dictatorship could heighten European unease—particularly as Trump’s policies unsettle allies. The Finland-China Joint Action Plan (2025-2029) highlights this tilt, emphasizing innovation, green tech, and trade with minimal human rights mention.
Such oversight blinds Finland to China’s encroaching influences, HRW argues. Beijing stands accused of the globe’s most egregious conduct: Xinjiang’s atrocities like mass internment, surveillance, and forced labor against Uyghurs. These taint supply chains vital to Finland’s energy and tech sectors, even as EU forced labor bans loom in 2027.
Labor rights abuses permeate China’s model, dragging down international standards, displacing jobs, and fueling transatlantic anger. Hong Kong’s democracy advocates dread long jail stints for speech, Tibet endures cultural erasure, and overseas dissidents face transnational repression.
Orpo has a chance to redefine engagement by raising these imperatives. Ignoring them not only betrays Finnish values but also exposes industries to ethical and economic pitfalls. As Europe charts its path, bold advocacy could set a precedent for principled partnerships.