On May 28, the "Welcome to Charming Hunan" China (Hunan)–Finland Economic, Trade, Culture and Tourism Promotion Conference was held in Helsinki. Hunan and Finland respectively showcased their opportunities for economic and trade cooperation as well as distinctive cultural and tourism resources, promoting two-way exchanges and win-win cooperation in both economic and cultural tourism sectors.

At the promotion conference, Mao Zhaohui, deputy secretary-general of the People's Government of Hunan Province, and Chen Huixin, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Finland, attended and delivered speeches. Guo Ning, director of the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, presided over the meeting. Shen Yumou, director of the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, Yan Changwen, deputy director of the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Mirja Kaarlela, senior director at Business Finland, and Teemu Ahola, director of international operations at Visit Finland, gave presentations respectively.

Mao Zhaohui noted that Hunan boasts a strong industrial foundation, abundant innovation resources, upgraded levels of opening up, and world-renowned cultural and tourism offerings. He added that Hunan and Finland are complementary in industries, aligned in philosophies, and share a deep bond. He expressed the hope that both sides will deepen economic and trade exchanges, people-to-people ties, and science and innovation cooperation in the future to achieve mutual benefit, enhance mutual understanding, and advance industrial progress together.

Chen Huixin emphasized that sub-national exchanges and cooperation are an important part of China-Finland relations. He expressed the hope that Hunan and Finland will continue to join hands and deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, economy and trade, culture and tourism, and ecological and environmental protection, thereby continuously enriching and deepening sub-national cooperation between China and Finland.

The Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism highlighted the rich tourism resources of the Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area with Zhangjiajie at the core, and introduced relevant visa-free entry facilitation policies. A photo exhibition showcasing Hunan's "five calling cards" for cultural tourism and an exhibition of intangible cultural heritage masterpieces including Hunan embroidery, Hunan ceramics, Hunan tea, and Xiangxi Miao embroidery were held concurrently, attracting Finnish guests to pause and appreciate the exhibits.

The Department of Commerce of Hunan Province focused on presenting Hunan's opening up status, industrial foundation, and investment environment, and organized the Hunan-Finland Economic and Trade Supply-Demand Matchmaking Session following the promotion conference. Twenty-nine Finnish companies and seven Hunan companies from sectors including construction, port logistics, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, equipment manufacturing, mining machinery, meteorological monitoring, agricultural and food products, and finance engaged in in-depth exchanges, laying a solid foundation for subsequent economic and trade cooperation.

Data shows that Finland is an important economic, trade, cultural and tourism partner for Hunan in Northern Europe. In 2025, Hunan's imports and exports with Finland totaled 1.24 billion CNY, of which exports reached 420 million CNY, an increase of 87.4% year-on-year. Hunan recorded 181,700 inbound tourist arrivals from Europe, a 24.2% increase year-on-year. Finland is a key source market for visitors from Northern Europe to Hunan, and the overall relationship between Hunan and Finland is in a steady phase of development.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism