China Acquires Strategic Real Estate in Russia-like Pattern: Finnish Defense Minister Says Government Must Intervene Strongly

(CNA, Helsinki, 5th) Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen pointed out for the first time on Tuesday that a Chinese business network has recently attempted to acquire multiple important properties in Finland related to national security, covering areas around military bases, critical infrastructure, and strategic industries. He stated that this is the first time Finland has discovered China engaging in organized actions of this kind, similar to Russia's past pattern of acquiring strategic real estate.

At a press conference, Häkkänen said that behind the applications rejected by the Ministry of Defense, the same Chinese business network was found to be attempting to acquire at least 10 properties related to national security across Finland. Due to the special locations, which could affect national defense security, critical infrastructure protection, and national supply security, the acquisitions were not approved.

According to an in-depth investigation by the Finnish national broadcaster Yle, the most notable case involves the Chinese-owned company Nordic Inn attempting to acquire the Talluka Activity Hotel in Asikkala, involving six properties. This area is adjacent to the protected zone of the Päijänne Tunnel, which supplies water to the Helsinki metropolitan area, and is considered critical infrastructure.

Another company under the same network, Nordic Haven Design, attempted to acquire land in the Ruuhimäki area of Laukaa, a site adjacent to a Finnish manufacturer of night vision devices, which is an important supplier to Finland's defense industry. Another rejected case is in Rovaniemi, where a Chinese company applied to acquire land adjacent to the Jaeger Brigade, the Lapland Air Command, and Rovaniemi Airport. The Ministry of Defense found the applicant's stated purpose of use suspicious and not credible.

Häkkänen also noted that China is cooperating closely with Russia, continuing to support Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine, and that in the Imatra case, a third-party respondent that emerged during the request for additional information was linked to Russia. He stated, "It is clear that the interest of Russia and countries friendly to Russia in Finland has increased significantly."

In an interview with Finnish MTV News, Häkkänen said these properties have no reasonable commercial basis, and the sources of funding cannot be reasonably explained. He said, "There are various shady intentions behind this. Now we see China doing the same thing for the first time, and on a larger scale. We must intervene quite strongly."

In its rejection decision, the Finnish Ministry of Defense cited a NATO assessment, stating that China's goal is to "deliberately challenge NATO's interests, security, and values," that China's intelligence interest in Finland is "long-term and sustained," and that its military cooperation with Russia continues to expand. (Editor: Chen Chenggong) 1150605