Finland launches new Asia strategy to reduce dependence on China.
That is the main message in Finland’s first-ever Indo-Pacific policy, unveiled this week by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The new strategy aims to strengthen cooperation with countries across Asia in areas such as trade, investment, technology and security.
Why Asia matters to Finland
According to the Finnish government, the goal is to make Finland and Europe more resilient by reducing strategic dependence on China while building closer partnerships with other countries in the region.
“The Indo-Pacific is no longer a distant horizon; its development directly affects European security,” Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said.
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio said the region offers major opportunities for Finnish businesses.
“Trade with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as investment, supply chains, and innovation, offer significant opportunities for Finnish companies and expertise,” he said.
The policy also supports the European Union’s efforts to strengthen relations with Asian partners while reducing economic vulnerabilities linked to China.
A region too important to ignore
The Indo-Pacific region stretches from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific and includes countries such as India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and members of ASEAN.
The region is home to around 60 percent of the world’s population and produces a similar share of global economic output.
Finland says developments in Asia increasingly affect Europe through trade, supply chains, technology and security.
