An enduring platform for Sino-Nordic trade
The China-Nordic Economic Forum, established in 2018, is the first and only long-term mechanism dedicated to fostering economic and trade cooperation with Nordic countries. As the 2025 edition approaches in Wuhan, the forum continues to serve as a bridge for mutual understanding, investment, and market access, with the event marking a new chapter as Denmark serves as the guest and main host nation. During the proceedings, the Ministry of Commerce will host the 24th Sino-Danish Joint Economic Committee meeting, underscoring the depth of bilateral engagement.
Nordic-Chinese trade and investment momentum
China and the Nordic region have long partnered across sectors, with a track record of robust trade and steady investment growth. In 2024, trade with the five Nordic countries reached 53.17 billion USD, reflecting an 8.5 percent year-on-year rise. The first eight months of 2025 kept that momentum, with trade totaling 37.96 billion USD, up 7.1 percent from the previous year. High-value goods, such as medicines and precision machinery, have remained strong exporters to China, while the share of advanced electrical equipment and vehicles continues to expand, signaling a progressively optimized bilateral trade structure.
Investments: Nordic firms doubling down in China
Nordic investment in China has remained resilient, with cumulative direct investment surpassing 15 billion USD. Sweden and Denmark together account for more than 5 billion USD in Chinese investments, illustrating Nordic confidence in China’s vast market and its sophisticated manufacturing ecosystem. Leading Nordic players are reinforcing production bases, sales hubs, and R&D centers in China, emblematic of a broader strategy to integrate into automotive, machinery, shipbuilding, and forest products supply chains—capitalizing on China’s high-quality development trajectory.
EVs and batteries: a new hotspot for cooperation
Nordic countries, known for their rapid green transition, boast high EV penetration and are increasingly shaping the European EV and battery supply chain. Chinese electric vehicle brands such as BYD, NIO, and XPeng are expanding in Nordic markets, earning consumer trust with local-focused products. In parallel, Chinese battery-materials and equipment companies are tightening their Nordic presence: Xingyuan Materials established its European headquarters in Sweden, while Dangsheng Technology anchored its first overseas production facility in Finland. Together, these moves illustrate how the Nordic region is becoming a critical gateway for China’s EV and power‑battery industry to enter Europe and accelerate cross-border production and supply-chain collaboration.
Three engines for deeper China-Nordic cooperation
1) Green development
Green is the defining color of China-Nordic cooperation. China remains committed to green, low-carbon development, and Nordic nations bring rich experience in energy efficiency, clean energy, and climate policy. The partnership has already advanced concrete green frameworks—China-Denmark renewed the Green Joint Working Plan in 2023, China-Norway launched a green transformation dialogue in 2024, and China-Sweden formed a green transformation investment working group in 2025. The Wuhan forum aims to deepen green trade, green transport, green buildings, and sustainable agriculture, leveraging green finance to accelerate a new engine of cooperation between China and Nordic countries.
2) Innovation
Innovation is a cornerstone of Nordic prosperity and remains central to the forum’s agenda. In 2025, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark rank among the top ten on the Global Innovation Index. Since 2017, the Sino-Finnish Innovation and Enterprise Cooperation Committee has epitomized the kind of innovation-centric engagement China seeks with European partners. Through the forum, China intends to expand exchanges in digital economy, information technology, AI, and biomedicine, harnessing Nordic creativity to cultivate new growth drivers in high-end manufacturing and services.
3) Quality
As Chinese consumers pursue higher-quality, diverse goods, Nordic soft and hard products—ranging from precision machinery to food, fashion, and design—hold strong appeal. Nordic quality, reliability, and minimalist design resonate with Chinese customers. The forum encourages showcasing Nordic specialties—local foods, seafood, dairy, and design—that meet China’s growing demand for premium lifestyle goods, while inviting Nordic firms to participate in major events like the China International Import Expo and other key trade shows to reach Chinese consumers directly.
What to expect at the Wuhan summit
From senior government dialogues to business-to-business matchmaking, the Wuhan event will feature high-level dialogues, policy briefings, and partnership announcements. Nordic participants can expect targeted sessions on green finance, smart manufacturing, clean energy, and sustainable supply chains, with practical mechanisms for collaboration across automotive, machinery, and forestry sectors. The forum is positioned to translate high-level commitments into concrete business opportunities, ensuring both sides leverage China’s vast market and Nordic strengths in technology and sustainability.
Looking ahead
By combining green finance, innovation ecosystems, and a shared commitment to quality, the China-Nordic Economic Forum in Wuhan is set to accelerate concrete collaboration in EVs, batteries, and beyond. It offers Nordic firms a prominent platform to deepen ties with Chinese partners, expand into China’s enormous market, and co-create the next wave of sustainable, high-tech growth.
