Denmark and China 65 years diplomatic relations anniversary gala dinner

On 11 May 2015 state leaders from Denmark and China celebrated the 65th anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations with a gala dinner and agriculture and sustainability-themed seminar at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.

From the Danish government Manu Sareen, Minister for Children, Gender Equality, Integration and Social Affairs was present for the celebrations.

“It is a great pleasure to be here today to celebrate the relations between Denmark and China on behalf of the Danish government,” said the minister and continud: “Despite our differences, we share common goals. We want a society where everybody can shape their own future, but also a society where we take care of the sick and the elderly. The market should play a decisive role, but not at all cost. We need to ensure a sustainable development and take care of the environment.”

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From left to right: Wang Chao, Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, ​Yan Junqi, Vice Chairman for National People’s Congress of China, Manu Sareen, Minister for Children, Gender Equality, Integration and Social Affairs and Friis Arne Petersen, Ambassador of Denmark to China.

In the recent years, Denmark and China have seen a growing number of areas of cooperation like social affairs, legal affairs, anti-corruption, foreign policy and defence.

“Denmark was one of the very first Western countries recognizing and establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. This great foresight has served our ties with China very well. We are also the only country in the Western world that has had an unbroken diplomatic presence in China since 1908, this celebration marks the long friendship between us,” said Mr. Friis Arne Petersen, Danish Ambassador to China.

“The bilateral relationship has progressed tremendously. Our private companies and institutions have full-fledged engagement in this Sino-Danish partnership for mutual benefit and among the European countries, Denmark is one of the largest exporters to China in terms of trading figure per capita, as well as the largest investor in China per capita. This makes Denmark the most China-oriented economy in Europe together with the Netherlands and Germany,” the Ambassador added.

Following the afternoon seminar at the Great Hall of the People, Danish and Chinese companies including Kopenhagen Fur, Kjeldsens and Husheng Agriculture had an exhibition booth at site where their products and services were showcased.

During the gala dinner, performers from the Music Confucius Institute of the Royal Danish Academy of Music had a joint performance with Chinese musicians. A ballet performance was orchestrated by the Royal Danish Ballet School and the Beijing Dance Academy.

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Ms. Yan Junqi, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr. Manu Sareen, Danish Minister for Children, Gender Equality, Integration and Social Affairs, Mr. Wang Chao, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Mr. Li Gao, Vice Minister for State Bureau for Letters and Calls and Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries were present at the celebrations together with Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen.

Some Danish and Chinese officials as well as companies attended the celebration. Danish and Chinese media representatives and notable public figures such as famous anchor person from Hunan TV, Mr. Wang Han also joined the celebration.

About Joakim Persson

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