Your Excellency Minister Martin Lidegaard, Minister Magnus Heunicke, Minister Kirsten Brosbøl,
Your Excellency Minister Chen Lei,
Ladies and gentlemen:
In this beautiful and vibrant season of spring, we are gathered here to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment the diplomatic relations between China and Denmark. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Denmark, I would like to extend our warm welcome to all the distinguished guests and our sincere thanks to the friends from all circles of our two nations, including the Chinese community in Denmark.
Located at the two ends of the Eurasian continent, separated by mountains and rivers, China and Denmark have a long history of friendly exchanges between their peoples. As early as 1674, King Christian V wrote a letter to Emperor Kangxi, proposing the establishment of friendly relations on the basis of shipping and trade. 65 years ago today, which is the 11th of May 1950, Denmark took the lead in the Western countries in establishing diplomatic relations with new China, opening a new chapter in our bilateral relations.
With the joint efforts of both sides, the past 65 years have witnessed remarkable progress of Sino-Danish relations. Especially in recent years, frequent high-level visits contributed to deepening mutual political trust. The comprehensive strategic nature of our bilateral relations has become increasingly prominent, reaching an unprecedented new level. Our bilateral economic and trade cooperation continues to grow. In 2014, our bilateral trade volume hit a record high by exceeding 10 billion US dollars, over 3500 times the figure in 1950 when we forged diplomatic relations. A series of mutually beneficial cooperation projects serving the two peoples have achieved positive results. We have enjoyed dynamic people-to-people exchanges, effective local or non-governmental cooperation, and strong public support for our friendship from generation to generation. The growth of our relations over the past 65 years of development indicates that, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, to constantly deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Denmark conforms to the fundamental interests of our two peoples.
At present, China is at an important stage of building a comprehensive well-off society. The interactions and integrations of interests between China and other countries, including Denmark have never been closer. China’s initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, is an important measure to expand its all-round opening-up under the new circumstances, and also an opportunity for countries to cooperate under the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. Proceeding from the 65th anniversary, in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual trust, exchanges and mutual learning, as well as win-win cooperation between countries of different political systems and cultural traditions, we are ready to work together with our Danish friends from all walks of life for wider and deeper cooperation and for a better future for both of us.
Thank you.