On the 9th of January, 65 years ago, the Kingdom of Denmark recognized the People’s Republic of China as one of the very first Western countries to do so. The formal establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries followed on 11th of May 1950. The Kingdom of Denmark is the only country to have unbroken diplomatic presence in China since 1908.
During the anniversary year there will be several events in both China and Denmark commemorating theses ties.
“We have many exciting events coming up this spring, including activities from the Danish Cultural Season,” said Friis Arne Petersen, Danish Ambassador to China.
On 21 March the ambassador opened an art exhibition at the Royal Danish Embassy featuring two Chinese contemporary artists: Mr. Hu Qinwu, one of the most prominent artists in China; and Ms. Wu, a young artist.
Following on this, a spectacular Danish Viking exhibition was launched on 27 March in Suzhou (open until 28 June), displaying a number of Vikings artefacts and relics; including a real size Viking ship, weapons, jewellery and ornaments. Danish Viking re-enactors will also be present at the Suzhou Museum to demonstrate how Danish Vikings lived and worked during the Viking Age.
“Today the relationship between Denmark and China is at an all-time high. Politically, economically and culturally we see an increased growth in both depth and width of the Sino-Danish bonds,” the ambassador pointed out. “I am thrilled to see that the past year has witnessed frequent high-level exchanges between China and Denmark.”
A record high number of official visits from Denmark to China and vice versa took place in 2014; the most prominent visit being the State Visit by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II to China on invitation by Chinese President Xi Jiping. Also, PMi Helle Thorning-Schmidt visited China for the second time during her tenure. Several high-level visits from China to Denmark also took place and both sides agreed to continue working together for deeper Sino-Danish Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“2015 is a special year and crucial milestone in the history of our bilateral relations. We are ready to work harder with our Danish friends from all walks of life for a future-oriented Sino-Danish relationship,” wrote China’s Ambassador H.E. Mr. Liu Biwei in a letter in Danish media.
“We will deepen mutually-beneficial win-win cooperation. China and Denmark are both at critical stages of development. China is deepening reform and advancing the rule of law in a comprehensive manner. The Danish government is vigorously committed to vitalising economy, enlarging employment and improving people’s livelihood. Our two countries can make full use of our respective advantages, complement and learn from each other, and achieve common development.”
“China and Denmark have enjoyed dynamic and fruitful exchanges and cooperation in various fields. In 2014, our bilateral trade volume approached a historic high of 10 billion USD; the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research had its official ground-breaking in Beijing; we successfully established cultural center in our respective country; and our local-level pragmatic cooperation maintained a good momentum of growth.”
Denmark is the only Western country to have unbroken diplomatic presence in China since 1908 and Denmark is the first Nordic country to have a permanent presence from 1908 in China and from 1912 to establish their own mission in China headed by Preben F. Ahlefeldt-Laurvig making China the first Asian country to host a Danish Embassy.
Source letter Danish media: Copenhagen Post, 19 Feb 2015
