Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt gave an interview with Chinese media Xinhua about the strategic partnership between the two countries, following a recent visit where business deals worth USD 3.4 billion were signed between Danish and Chinese companies.
“This was my first visit to China as Prime Minister. China is undergoing a dynamic development, which encourages increased dialogue and cooperation between Denmark and China in many fields,” she said in the exclusive interview about her first official visit to China.
She pointed out that the biggest rewards lay in collaboration on “sustainable development and green energy, which is an important engine for growth” as well as sectors such as culture, tourism, and education.
When asked which sectors Denmark will focus on in future to boost bilateral economic ties, Thorning-Schmidt said, “We focus on several sectors in China, where we know that Danish companies are frontrunners and where there is particular potential for further cooperation to mutual benefit.”
Denmark and China have enjoyed warm diplomatic ties for the past 62 years, and signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership covering political, economic, cultural and other affairs in 2008.
Recently, the two countries signed 17 inter-governmental agreements in areas such as investment, tariffs, energy, agriculture and culture, during the first-ever state visit to Denmark by Chinese President Hu Jintao, in June 2012.
Moreover, business deals worth USD 3.4 billion were signed between Danish and Chinese companies during the presidential visit.
She noted that her government launched in May 2012 a growth-market strategy aimed exclusively at China, which comes in addition to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“We have recently had no less than five high level visits between Denmark and China, and I have pledged to make regular visits to China in the future to continue strengthening our ties,” Thorning-Schmidt said, underscoring the value placed on bilateral exchanges, a key component of the partnership.
According to the Danish Trade Ministry, China now ranks among Denmark’s biggest markets outside the European Union, with Danish exports to China worth 15.1 billion Danish kroner (around USD 2.7 billion) in 2011.
