Hu's visit to enhance Sino-Danish partnership

COPENHAGEN - Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming state visit to Denmark will greatly enhance the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, said China's Ambassador to Denmark.

China's Ambassador to Denmark Li Ruiyu recieves an interview in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 13, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

"Denmark was one of the first western countries to recognize and forge diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China," Ambassador Li Ruiyu told Xinhua in an exclusive interview prior to Hu's visit.

"Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 62 years ago, Sino-Danish relations have been developing steadily," he added.

Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing, are making the visit at an invitation from Denmark's Queen Margrethe II and her husband Prince Consort Henrik.

The trip, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, marks the first visit by a Chinese head of state to Denmark.

Li said that the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership, which was forged in 2008 and which covers economic, political, cultural and other areas, reflects the two governments' commitment to the development of their bilateral relations.

Indeed, bilateral relations have developed smoothly, and cooperation in all fields has reached an unprecedented high level, he added.

Li noted that Denmark is recognized for its strengths in green economy, technological innovation and social welfare, which provide huge potential for cooperation with China, a country focusing on transforming its growth pattern for a sustainable growth.

Both sides have increased their consensus and strengthened mutual trust thanks to the good communications between their governments.

"The formal consultation and dialogue mechanism established between China and Denmark in recent years enables increasingly closer communication and coordination between both sides: from bilateral to multilateral affairs, from political, security issues to economic and financial affairs, and from regional to global challenges," Li said.

On the topic of Sino-European Union (EU) relations, Li said that China has always maintained that the common interests and interdependence between the two parties should be constantly broadened and deepened.

Li said that President Hu's visit to Denmark will send a positive signal as to China's firm support for the EU's fight against financial crisis, as well as to its commitment to the development of the Sino-Danish comprehensive strategic partnership.

Denmark, which holds the EU Presidency until end June, has coordinated the efforts for the bloc to weather the current economic crisis, and contributed to its economic recovery and growth, Li said.

Hu's visit would effectively promote bilateral strategic relations and political mutual trust, expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields, and deepen the friendship between the peoples of China and Denmark, Li added.

"The visit is an important milestone in the development of Sino-Danish relations, that will make Sino-Danish relations become a model of friendly cooperation between developed and developing countries, and between states with different cultural backgrounds and social systems. It will also promote a sound and steady development of China-EU relations," Li said.