Current affairs

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit China on 24–25 July. Meeting will take place in the capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu.

Finland is proud to present its candidacy to a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2022–2024 term. Previously, Finland served as a member of the Human Rights Council for a period of one year starting in 2006, when the Council was newly established.

The prolonged COVID-19 epidemic has led to an exceptional situation for travellers. This summer, borders have gradually started to open up and, thanks to vaccinations, safe and healthy travel is possible to a greater extent. Many Finns are also spending their holidays abroad. However, it is important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and that infections are rising again in many holiday destinations popular among Finns. When travelling, it is important to act responsibly and observe guidelines in place to ensure health security.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has sent out for comments a proposal on amendments to the Decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service. The consultation round will be open until 6 August 2021. According to the proposal, the prices of identity cards and passports issued by missions abroad would be raised by 6 euros and 55 euros respectively.

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö had a good and thorough telephone conversation with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, on Monday, 21 June 2021.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other ministries have jointly updated Finland’s Governmental Action Plan on China from 2010. The Action Plan on China 2021 provides an overall assessment of Finland’s relations and cooperation with China. The rapidly evolving international environment as well as need for relevant, up-to-date information within the government and other actors involved in cooperation with China have made it necessary to update the Action Plan. The Action Plan strengthens the consistent approach and policy line on China and does not entail any new policies.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommends exercising special caution when travelling to the EU and Schengen area The Ministry also recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to countries outside the EU and Schengen area, except for countries for which the restrictions on entry have been lifted.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other ministries have jointly updated Finland’s Governmental Action Plan on China from 2010. The Action Plan on China 2021 provides an overall assessment of Finland’s relations and cooperation with China. The rapidly evolving international environment as well as need for relevant, up-to-date information within the government and other actors involved in cooperation with China have made it necessary to update the Action Plan. The Action Plan strengthens the consistent approach and policy line on China and does not entail any new policies.

17 May 2021. Everyone is born free and equal in dignity and rights. On the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), the European Union reaffirms its strong commitment to respect, protect and promote the full and equal enjoyment of human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons.

China has managed to contain the spread of covid-19 cases effectively since the beginning of the lunar year and many restrictions within the country have been lifted. China is planning to vaccinate 40% of its population by June. The vaccination plan now includes foreigners living in China and vaccinations are largely accessible around the country. However, entry to China is still very challenging. Starting from 7 November, China requires a negative Covid-19 test result as well as a negative anti-body test result to be certified in the Chinese Embassy before the trip. Starting from 19 February, travelling to China on a transit flight from Finland is no longer possible. Anyone entering China is subject to a minimum of two weeks’ centralized quarantine in a quarantine hotel.