In the new year, leaders of nations in Asia, Europe and North America have traveled to China to discuss reinforcing bilateral ties and expanding pragmatic cooperation, and countries such as Finland have confirmed or planned visits to China by their leaders in the near future. Observers said one major reason behind the visits is that Beijing projects great predictability and consistency in its domestic and foreign policy, signaling tangible and continued mutual benefit in a world plagued by soaring geopolitical tensions, unilateralism and hegemony. The next guest will be Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who is scheduled to make a four-day official visit to China starting on Sunday. The first head of state and the first foreign minister that Beijing received in 2026 both came from neighboring countries — Republic of Korea President Lee Jae-myung and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. After President Xi Jinping's meeting with Lee on Jan ...