Chinese president welcomes Danish Queen in Beijing

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)

Danish queen renews China ties

With her second visit to China on Thursday, Danish Queen Margrethe II set aside her country's custom that the monarch visits a foreign country only once during a reign.

Observers said the rare occasion — which included the largest delegation in Danish history ever to travel on a state visit — reveals China's economic and cultural attraction.

President Xi Jinping traced his links to his guest to the last generation, when his father Xi Zhongxun and his mother received the queen in Guangzhou in 1979. (more)