Finland, a small country located in Northern Europe, has traditionally maintained a low profile in international affairs.
However, recent actions suggest that Finland is attempting to play a more active role on the international stage, particularly regarding its actions towards China, which have drawn significant attention.
Last year, Finland officially joined NATO, becoming an ally of the West.
Since then, it has actively sought to make its voice heard in international matters, particularly against China, seemingly inspired by NATO's stance.
Finland's actions are quite striking, starting with its proposal to abolish the veto power of the five permanent members of the United Nations, then publicly condemning Russia, and even expressing a desire to "kick" Russia off the international stage, culminating in its announcement to return China's giant pandas early. What are the motives behind this series of actions?
Finland has long harbored a "NATO dream," which came true last year when it became the 31st member of the alliance.
Surprisingly, shortly after joining, Finland displayed strong ambitions.
Previously, Finland maintained a relatively neutral stance towards Russia, but its relationship with Russia has since become tense, impacting its relations with China as well.
In an interview on September 18, Finnish President Alexander Stubb called for reform of the UN Security Council, suggesting an increase in member states and the abolition of the veto power of permanent members, including China.
He also accused Russia of waging an "illegal war" against Ukraine, marking a significant shift in Finland's stance towards China and Russia that has drawn widespread international attention.
The controversy surrounding the powers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council has long been a topic of debate, with many arguing that their power is overly concentrated and that the veto power is unjust.
The UN initially experienced chaos and unclear power distribution, which hindered its functionality until the post-World War II era when the US proposed that major powers should control the UN to ensure its effective operation.
However, President Stubb's proposal is perceived as a targeted move against China and Russia, seemingly aligning with U.S. intentions.
The U.S.'s long-standing hegemony has led to dissatisfaction with the power distribution among the five permanent members.
The U.S. has also utilized its veto power to block proposals beneficial to other countries, showcasing its authoritative stance in international affairs.
Finland's proposal appears to conform to the U.S. position, aiming to diminish Russia's influence internationally.
Recently, Finland announced its decision to return China's giant pandas early, citing financial issues—a claim that is difficult to believe. After all, Finland previously collaborated actively with China, signing a 15-year agreement for panda research and protection.
Now, using economic reasons to justify the early return clearly masks its political motivations.
When Finland claimed it could not afford the upkeep of the pandas, many Chinese businesses and expatriates expressed willingness to help.
Nevertheless, Finland ultimately chose to return the pandas, reflecting its cool attitude towards Sino-Finnish relations.
Finland's actions undoubtedly reveal a growing inclination towards the West, starkly contrasting its previously claimed neutral stance.
This trend has become even more apparent following its NATO membership.
Despite this, China has consistently maintained a stance of non-confrontation.
If Finland does not actively provoke disputes in the future, China is still willing to maintain friendly relations with it.
However, if Finland continues to collaborate closely with the West and pressures China, China will not remain passive, and Finland must be prepared for the consequences.
Comments