China, Denmark eye closer relationship

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Danish Queen Margrethe II (R) review the guard of honor at the welcoming ceremony before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2014.(Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Danish Queen Margrethe II on Thursday and the two heads of state voiced their hope to elevate their bilateral ties.

Queen Margrethe II is paying a state visit to China from Thursday to Monday at Xi's invitation, her second China trip as queen. In September 1979, she visited China as the first Western head of state to do so after China adopted its reform and opening-up policy.

During Thursday's talks, Xi said Queen Margrethe II's two visits have witnessed the historical process from the beginning to the comprehensive deepening of China's reform and opening-up, and pushed the development of the bilateral ties over the past 35 years.

The Chinese side is highly appreciative of the contribution Queen Margrethe II and the Danish royal family has made to the friendship between the two peoples, said the president.

Hailing good relationship and fruitful cooperation between the two countries, Xi noted that China has become Denmark's biggest trading partner in Asia and the second-largest overseas destination for investment.

The total trade volume between Denmark and China was more than 107 billion Danish krone ($19.85 billion) in 2013.

Xi said China and Denmark's joint efforts along with other countries to transport Syria's chemical weapons to ensure their destruction has set a good example of cooperation in international affairs.

China is undergoing an important period of advancing a new type of industrialization, IT application, urbanization and agricultural modernization while Denmark has rich experience and technological advantages in these areas, Xi said.

He suggested the two sides cooperate more in trade, investment, agriculture, medical care, food security, energy conservation and people-to-people exchanges, especially exchanges between the youth of the two countries.

Xi also proposed the two sides make joint efforts to advance the relationship between China and Europe at large.

"The Chinese side stands ready to work together to lead the China-Denmark comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height," said the Chinese leader.

Queen Margrethe II said she was impressed by the great changes that have taken place in China and hopes that her visit will deepen the good relationship, enhance mutual understanding and friendship and advance the reciprocal cooperation between the two nations.

After the talks, Xi and Queen Margrethe II witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative documents, involving maritime technology, energy conservation, and poverty elimination among other fields.

On Thursday, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard, who is accompanying the queen on the China tour.

The two officials exchanged views on the bilateral relationship as well as regional and global issues of common concern.