On November 25, 2025, the "China-Finland Circular Economy Development Forum," jointly organized by Team Finland and the China Association of Circular Economy, was successfully held at the residence of the Finnish Ambassador to China. The forum received strong support from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Representatives from government departments and associations of both China and Finland attended the event. The forum also brought together leading enterprises from the circular economy sectors of both nations. Representatives from several Chinese companies, including China Resources Recycling Group, Sinopec Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd., and China Academy of Building Research Co., Ltd., alongside representatives from over ten Finnish companies, gathered to witness a fruitful exchange of insights on the China-Finland circular economy.

The forum's content covered not only the macro policies and development directions of the circular economy in both China and Finland but also industrial practices and pioneering innovations. Through diverse segments such as policy dialogue, keynote presentations, practice sharing, and business matchmaking, the forum built a platform for exchange, jointly explored new pathways for circular economy development, deepened China-Finland green cooperation, and injected new momentum into collaboration in the circular economy field between the two countries.

His Excellency Mr. Mikko Kinnunen, the Finnish Ambassador to China, delivered the opening welcome remarks. He stated that the circular economy is a very important issue for Finns. As early as 2016, Finland drafted and published the world's first national circular economy roadmap. In recent years, Finland has also made significant progress in cooperating with China in the circular economy field. China is a key participant in developing the circular economy industry and advancing specific circular economy solutions. Trade and economic ties have always been key drivers of the bilateral relationship, and the green transition is at the core of this cooperation. Finland looks forward to deepening cooperation with China at the technological and industrial levels to jointly create scalable and profitable circular economy models, setting an example for the ecological circularization of global industries.

Mr. Zhang Lupeng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of China's National Development and Reform Commission, pointed out in his speech that China-Finland relations have maintained healthy and stable development in recent years, with continuous deepening of cooperation across various fields. In 2024, the NDRC and the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Economy Cooperation, laying a solid foundation for collaboration in this area. China consistently implements the concept of green development, considering the development of the circular economy as a crucial pathway for promoting high-quality economic and social development and achieving the "dual carbon" goals. China is willing to share its circular economy practices and experiences with other countries and work together to promote global green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.

Mr. Timo Jaatinen, Permanent Secretary (Deputy Minister) of the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, stated in his address that global resource challenges urgently require solutions that are both innovative and practical. The circular economy is a key direction for global green development, not only an environmental necessity but also a significant economic opportunity. Finland has accumulated rich experience in this field and looks forward to strengthening communication and exchange with China through this event, jointly promoting in-depth cooperation at technological and industrial levels for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

The keynote speech session focused on core issues of China-Finland circular economy development. Mr. Zhu Liyang, President of the China Association of Circular Economy, delivered a keynote speech sharing China's main approaches to developing the circular economy, the development achievements since the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and suggestions for deepening China-Finland circular economy cooperation. He advocated for both countries to make good use of existing bilateral exchange mechanisms to strengthen discussions and seminars; leverage multilateral exchange and cooperation platforms to share the story of their circular economy cooperation; engage in capacity cooperation for resource recycling; and jointly participate in global ecological environment governance.

Ms. Sari Tasa, Senior Advisor at the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, stated in her speech that Finland and China face common challenges and share opportunities. She shared insights on how to build a circular economy system that balances ecological boundaries and industrial resilience from three aspects: the true meaning of the circular economy and its distinction from recycling, Finland's experiences and lessons learned, and the circular economy industrial ecosystem.

Mr. Marko Tiesmäki, Commercial Counsellor of the Finnish Embassy in Beijing and Head of Business Finland in China, emphasized in his speech that Finland's 2035 carbon neutrality goal requires a transition to a circular economy. The circular economy is not just about material cycles; it's also a way of thinking and a business model. Finland's strength lies in combining industrial technology with digital excellence to create scalable and exportable solutions.

Following this, Ms. Hu Ronghui, Director of Public and Government Affairs at UPM Specialty Papers, Mr. Liang Xiaofeng, President of Metso Greater China, and Mr. Chen Xuejian, Managing Director of Lindström China, presented Finnish circular economy practices from three perspectives respectively: innovative cases of wood-based new materials replacing fossil-based products, circular economy solutions for turning waste into treasure, and enabling the circular economy through digitalization and business models.

Mr. Zhao Kai, Executive Vice President of the China Association of Circular Economy, presided over the session on innovative practices in China's circular economy.

Mr. Xu Dong, Deputy General Manager of China Resources Recycling Group Plastic Recycling Co., Ltd., Mr. Huang Mengqi, General Manager of the Technology Department at Sinopec Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd., and Mr. Cao Le, Director of the BIM Center at CABR Technology Co., Ltd. (affiliated with China Academy of Building Research), gave presentations on plastic recycling, exploration and practice of biomass comprehensive utilization, and the research and application of digital-intelligent technologies in the construction engineering circular economy, respectively.

Prior to the business matchmaking and free exchange session, attending Finnish companies—Purcos, Kemira, Ramoj Group, Lindström, Metso, Nokia Bell Labs, Peikko Group, UPM, Vaisala, and Valmet—gave brief introductions and business presentations. Subsequently, representatives from Chinese and Finnish enterprises engaged in in-depth discussions around their respective business areas and cooperation needs, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.

This China-Finland Circular Economy Development Forum was not only an important opportunity for exchange in the field of green development between the two countries but also established a multi-stakeholder cooperation platform involving governments, institutions, and enterprises. Through policy interpretation, experience sharing, and enterprise matchmaking, both sides further consolidated consensus on circular economy development, shared development opportunities, and jointly promoted green and sustainable development.