China, Denmark reaffirm high-level political trust, cooperation

China and Denmark have reaffirmed their commitment to enhance political trust and deepen cooperation across a wide range of fields, creating new momentum for the development of bilateral ties, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Beijing on Monday.

Rasmussen is on an official visit to China from Saturday to Tuesday. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, with Denmark being one of the first Western countries to recognize and establish diplomatic ties with China.

During the meeting, Wang noted that China-Denmark relations have developed in a stable and healthy manner, with the key experience being upholding equality regardless of their size, and respecting and accommodating to each other's core interests.

He reaffirmed China's respect for Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in relation to Greenland, and expressed hope that Denmark would continue to support China's position on issues concerning its own sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"China is willing to work with Denmark to uphold two-way openness and inject new impetus into practical cooperation through green development," Wang said, calling for closer cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, scientific research and innovation, and the green economy.

He emphasized China's continued high-level opening-up and welcomed Danish investment, while expressing hope that Denmark would ensure a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese businesses.

Rasmussen reassured Wang that the Danish government and parliament remain firmly committed to the one-China policy and expressed the country's willingness to enhance high-level exchanges and expand cooperation with China in areas such as investment, green transition and cultural exchanges.

Denmark maintains an open attitude toward Chinese investment, he said, adding that Danish companies are ready to deepen their presence in the Chinese market.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union. Wang expressed hope that Denmark — set to assume the rotating EU presidency in the second half of the year — would play a constructive role in fostering China-EU cooperation.

Amid the complex international landscape, Wang noted that China and Denmark, which assumed the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in January this year, share broad consensus in addressing common challenges such as safeguarding multilateralism and defending free trade.

China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Denmark and other European countries to jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its center, contributing to world peace, stability, development and prosperity, Wang said.

In response, Rasmussen said Denmark is willing to play a constructive role in promoting the sound development of EU-China relations.

He reaffirmed Denmark's support for free trade and opposition to economic "decoupling", saying that trade wars serve no one's interests, while calling for closer coordination with China on multilateral affairs to safeguard the global trading system and international order.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues, including the Ukraine crisis.

After the talks, both sides exchanged replicas of the front page of People's Daily of the day diplomatic ties were established, a copy of the Danish note recognizing the People's Republic of China, and a commemorative envelope marking the 75th anniversary of China-Denmark diplomatic relations.