Denmark is seeking greater cooperation with China in peacekeeping operations, and maritime and military education, Denmark's military chief said on Friday. General Peter Bartram's comments came during his visit to China, following similar visits by Danish Queen Margrethe II and Minister of Defense Nicolai Wammen last year.
Bartram paid a five-day visit last week, including meetings with Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan and Fang Fenghui, chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
"On the military chief level, we have agreed to study how to deepen ties in those areas," Bartram said.
2015 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark.
Danish and Chinese forces have been working together in counter piracy operations such as escorting ships outside the Horn of Africa. "Denmark has a keen interest in counter-piracy. We account for 9 percent of maritime-based world transportation, so we have a keen interest in maritime cooperation," Bartram said. "I believe China has the same interest."
In 2013, in a mission off the coast of Syria, ships from the Chinese and Danish navies removed chemical agents from that country. Bartram said those experiences formed the foundation of future cooperation between the two countries.
The Danish navy chief will visit China in November, Bartram said, to discuss more concrete plans with his Chinese counterpart.
