It is a great pleasure to join you at the DCBF's Annual General Meeting. Danish companies were among the first comers to the Chinese market when China launched its reform and opening up. They not only witnessed but also participated in the process of China's development and progress. In the past four years, I visited a number of Danish companies and met with business leaders. I was impressed by their vision, entrepreneurship, as well as their insightful and objective view of China.
We are now in an uncertain world and another challenging year. But not all news is bad. In the first three months, the Chinese economy has shown an encouraging momentum of rebound, demonstrating strong resilience, huge potential and great vitality. Now we are building on this momentum and striving for sustained and overall improvement of the economic performance.
China's economy has already been plugged into the world economy as an integral part of the global division of labor system. China's development is inseparable from the world, and the world's development also needs China. World Bank Group has raised its global growth forecast for 2023 because of China's strong economic performance. IMF predicts that China's robust rebound is set to account for around one third of this year's global growth----giving an impetus to the world economy. China hopes to provide the much-needed certainty and new business opportunities for the world with its steady progress of Chinese modernization and high-quality development.
Reform and opening-up is China's state policy, not an expediency. It is a game changer to China's development and has also benefited the world. There is no reason to change it. Now China aims to achieve a high standard opening up. China will continue to foster a fair business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, where all companies can compete and operate in a level playing field.
We welcome Danish enterprises with open arms. I hope opportunities will be seized and business be expanded in China. Investing in China means building a prosperous future together.
At the same time, we hope Chinese companies in foreign countries will also be treated in an fair, just and non-discriminatory manner.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-Denmark comprehensive strategic partnership. At present, contacts at various levels are being resumed. And we are working hard on the Joint Work Programme, which will provide guidance for the further advancement of our bilateral relations. Quite a number of two-way visits have taken place and I am expecting more to come.
China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Denmark. Together we can do a lot. We may not see eye to eye on some issues, but so long as we respect each other and focus on what we have in common, we can push our bilateral relations forward for the benefit of our peoples.
In China we say “The whole year's work depends on a good start in spring”. This spring we have already had a good start. Let's join hands and continue to make efforts for further progress.
