（5th December, Nimb Hotel Copenhagen）
Mr. Allan Agerholm, Chairman of the Board of VisitDenmark,
Mr. Michael Dithmer, Permanent Secretary of State for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs,
Mr. Li Jinzao, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration ( CNTA),
Mr. Du Jiang, Vice Chairman of CNTA,
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,
Good evening! I am very glad to get together with you again. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Denmark, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the successful concluding of China-Denmark Tourism Year, and express our special gratitudes to Danish royal family and government for their strong supports to the Tourism Year. I would also like to express our sincere thanks to Mr. Li Jinzao, chairman of CNTA, and Ministry for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, as well as Tourism Administrations of China and Denmark. Our sincere thanks also go to those tourism authorities participating in the Closing ceremony, tourism departments of 15 Chinese provinces and municipalities, representatives from tourism business of both countries, and all related staff and organizations for their contributions to the Tourism Year.
Over the year, under the guidance of China National Tourism Administration, and with the support from tourism departments in various Chinese provinces and municipalities, as well as support from the Danish authorities in charge, we have organized a series of activities under framework of tourism year. The opening and closing ceremony of the Tourism Year are filled with magnificence and warm atmosphere. The tourism night of “Beautiful China along Tea Road” was brilliantly presented in the Kingdom of Fairy Tales. Tourism promotions were more than colorful. All these greatly enhanced cultural and people-to-people exchanges, enriching the China-Denmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
As the first Tourism Year co-hosted by China and an EU member state, China-Denmark Tourism Year has highlighted many first-times in the history of bilateral cultural and people-to-people exchanges. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik made his debut in “Flowers on Trip”, a famous Chinese entertainment show, exuding His Royal Highness’ easy-goingness and amicability. The Oysters in Denmark became “cyber stars” in China. Many Chinese travel afar for their fresh taste. Danish Hygge culture attracts more attention from Chinese people, who could explore the secret of happiness in the Kingdom of Fairy Tales.
As a Chinese saying goes, “Bosom friends make distance disappear”. China-Denmark Tourism Year has promoted the bilateral visits, enhanced people-to-people bond, expanded win-win cooperation. I hope that both sides keep up our endeavor, multiplying the positive effects of Tourism Year, further deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in tourism. As the Chinese Ambassador to Denmark, I would like to invite more Danish friends to visit China, enjoying its natural landscape as well as charming historic culture heritage, and pass the message of friendly cooperation so as to make greater contribution to the friendship and practical cooperation between our two countries!
Thank you!