Chinese state councilor discusses furthering bilateral ties with Danish FM

Visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held talks with Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen here on Saturday, in which both sides agreed to push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Noting the positive momentum in bilateral relations, Yang recalled the important consensus reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen on the sidelines of the nuclear security summit in Washington last month.

China stands ready to work with the Danish side to comprehensively implement the agreement between the two leaders and enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Yang said.

China views Denmark as a crucial strategic cooperation partner in Northern Europe and the European Union. The two countries have conducted bilateral and international cooperation in a wide range and in an in-depth way, said the state councilor.

China is willing to maintain the momentum in high-level exchange with the Danish side and support the strengthening of communication and exchange between the different departments of the two governments and at the provincial and municipal levels, he said.

Meanwhile, the two sides should speed up the formation of a cooperation action plan, align with China's initiative on the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road Initiative), the 13th Five Year Plan for national socioeconomic development in China (2016-2020), and Denmark's economic growth and growth market strategies in order to promote practical cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, investment, energy, urbanization, interconnectivity, mutual access, food and medicine, intellectual property rights protection, etc, he said.

The two sides should also be pioneering and innovative in developing new highlights in cultural exchange, to keep enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples, he said, adding that they should also stick to mutual respect and equality, properly handle sensitive issues to ensure sustained, healthy and stable development of China-Denmark relations, he said.

Yang also expressed his hope that Denmark would play a more active role in promoting China-EU ties.

Jensen, for his part, said that the many meetings and frequent exchange of visits between the leaders of the two countries since last year are sufficient testimonies to the robustness of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Bilateral ties have witnessed fruitful cooperation in all areas and energetic exchanges at the local level, said the foreign minister.

Denmark hopes to maintain the momentum in high-level exchange with China, expand and deepen exchange and cooperation in education, science and technology, tourism, energy, food and drug safety, financial regulation and green growth, in striving to promote bilateral relations to a new level, he said.

China's achievement in economic and social development is admirable, and Denmark is willing to have honest and in-depth dialogue with China in a constructive manner, communicate with and learn from each other, said Jensen, adding that his country is ready to play an active part in advancing China-EU relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on such key issues as regarding 2030 sustainable development goals, and work together to promote world peace and common development. Endi