BEIJING: China and Denmark should take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust and promote greater development of bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Beijing.
Noting that Denmark was among the first Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, Wang said the two countries have always respected each other, established and developed a comprehensive strategic partnership, and created a high-level mutually beneficial cooperation led by green development.
The Chinese foreign minister also said that the most important experience behind the healthy and stable development of China-Denmark relations is to adhere to the principle that all countries, big or small, are equal and respect and accommodate each other’s core interests.
Wang added that both China and Denmark should make joint efforts to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.
China fully respects Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Greenland issue and hopes that Denmark will continue to support China’s legitimate position on issues related to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang said.
China is also willing to work with Denmark to adhere to two-way opening up, take green development as the key point to give new impetus to practical cooperation, and continue to deepen cooperation in fields including economy, trade, scientific research and innovation and green economy, Wang said.
Noting China is committed to expanding high-level opening up to the outside world, which will create broader development space for foreign-funded enterprises, Wang welcomed Danish enterprises to invest and start businesses in China and expressed hope that Denmark would provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.
Wang called on both China and Denmark to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and continuously accumulate positive energy in bilateral relations through people-to-people friendship.
Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union and that Denmark will hold the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of the year, Wang said China is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the EU and jointly promote the sound development of China-EU relations.
As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Wang said China and Denmark, which began to assume responsibilities as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in January, have broad consensus on common challenges such as upholding multilateralism and defending free trade.
He said China is willing to enhance coordination and cooperation with European countries, including Denmark, jointly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.
For his part, Rasmussen said the people of Denmark and China have a history of friendly exchanges of over 300 years, noting that this year, the two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Firmly committed to the one-China policy, the Danish government and parliament are willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, enhance dialogue and mutual understanding in various fields, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as investment and green transformation, intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote the sustained and strong development of bilateral relations, Rasmussen said.
He said Denmark holds an open attitude toward Chinese enterprises’ investment in Denmark and that Danish enterprises are also willing to make long-term investments and deeply cultivate the Chinese market.
Rasmussen added that Denmark is willing to play a promoting role in the healthy development of EU-China relations.
Denmark firmly supports free trade and opposes “decoupling,” Rasmussen said, adding that Denmark believes that the trade war is not in the interests of any party.
Denmark looks forward to strengthening communication and coordination on multilateral affairs with China, jointly safeguarding the multilateral system and international order, and maintaining the momentum of globalization, Rasmussen said.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues such as the Ukraine crisis.
