China-Finland Circular Economy Development Forum held in Beijing

2023-12-07

On November 14, 2023, the China-Finland Circular Economy Development Forum was held in Beijing. The forum was co-organized by the Embassy of Finland in Beijing, Business Finland and China Association of Circular Economy(CACE). The forum focused on the effectiveness of circular economy development in two countries, best practices, providing a platform for the cooperation between Chinese and Finnish enterprises in circular economy innovation and technology. More than 70 policy makers, experts, scholars and business representatives from Chinese and Finnish governments, research institutes, universities, enterprises and industry associations attended the forum.

Ms. Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, ambassador of Finland to China, Mr. Song Changqing, deputy director general from Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection Department of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ms. Nina Kopola, director general of Business Finland, and Ms. Anne Vasara, ambassador for Circular Economy attended the forum and delivered speeches. They affirmed the sound cooperation between two countries in the fields of environment, climate and circular economy and reviewed their respective efforts in developing circular economy, coping with climate change and international exchanges.The year 2023 will mark the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Finnish Intergovernmental Trade Agreement, and China and Finland are important economic and trade partners for each other. Both sides are looking forward to continue to explore the potential cooperation in depth, and jointly promoting the practical cooperation between Chinese and Finnish enterprises in the field of circular economy, and strengthen the joint efforts to address the global challenges and the development of the global circular economy.

Mr. Zhu Liyang, president of CACE and Mr. Mika Sulkinoja from SITRA attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech, introducing the practical experiences of China and Finland in the development of circular economy, focusing on the 2024 World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) as well as the strengthening of the dialogue mechanism in the key areas of circular economy, such as plastics pollution prevention and control, recycling of waste textiles and waste power batteries, etc., to strengthen cooperation, promote mutual recognition of standards, and join hands to promote the green, low-carbon and sustainable development.

In the case sharing session, Zhao Kai, executive vice president of CACE, and enterprises’ representatives from both sides, including Huhtamaki, Peikko, UPM, Lindström, Metso, China Environmental Protection Group, HONOR, GEM, Niutech Environment Technology Corporation have made case sharing around innovative technological solutions for circular economy in the fields of green packaging, application of bio-based materials, plastics, construction, textile, batteries, and hazardous waste.

This forum provided a communication and cooperation platform for the relevant authorities, research institutes, industry organizations for both sides, which is of great significance to promote the construction of Sino-Finnish bilateral circular economy exchange and cooperation mechanism under the guidance of Circular Economy Memorandum of Understanding between China and EU, and to further implement the Sino-Finnish pragmatic cooperation.