Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is set to begin a four-day visit to China starting Sunday. Ahead of the trip, the US-based human rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Orpo to raise the issue of ongoing repression and violence against people in China.
In a statement, HRW emphasised that Orpo’s visit goes beyond routine diplomatic talks. It is a test of whether Finland can advance its core interests while upholding democratic values and human rights amid the complex dynamics between two global powers.
Orpo’s China tour follows recent visits by leaders from Ireland, Sweden, France, Germany, and Canada, who mainly focused on trade and investment. However, those visits largely overlooked concerns about human rights abuses. This trend reflects how countries are seeking to diversify economic ties and reduce dependence on the United States.
HRW criticised the increasing closeness between European countries and China, warning that it raises serious concerns across Europe. The joint Finland-China action plan for 2025–2029 highlights cooperation in innovation, green technology, and trade but only vaguely mentions human rights. HRW said this approach ignores the growing pressure China exerts directly on Finland.
The organisation accused China of being one of the worst abusers of human rights both domestically and internationally. It pointed to grave crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, including arbitrary detention, mass surveillance, and forced labour targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims.
HRW also warned that these abuses pose risks to Finland’s industries, particularly in clean energy and technology sectors, due to disrupted supply chains. Despite the European Union’s upcoming regulations, effective from late 2027, banning imports linked to forced labour, labour rights violations remain widespread in China beyond Xinjiang. The low-rights development model encouraged by China has sparked job losses locally and increased discontent in Europe and the US.
The statement further highlighted repression in Hong Kong, where people fear harsh prison sentences for criticising the government, and in Tibet, where religious and cultural rights face attacks. HRW also accused China of suppressing dissent among workers living abroad, including in Europe.
As Finland engages with China economically, human rights activists urge the government to balance trade interests with firm advocacy for fundamental freedoms and rights.
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