President Hu makes historic trip to Denmark

 

President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing wave as they arrive to meet Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in Copenhagen on Friday. It's the first visit by a Chinese president to Denmark. [Photo/Agencies]

President Hu Jintao pledged on Friday to increase bilateral cooperation with Denmark, especially cultural exchanges, as he met Queen Margrethe II during a historic visit to the country.

Hu's visit is the first by a Chinese head of state since the two countries established diplomatic ties 62 years ago.

During a meeting with the Danish royal couple, Hu, accompanied by his wife Liu Yongqing, said he appreciated the efforts that Queen Margrethe II and the royal family had made for China-Denmark relations.

Denmark was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China after it was founded in 1949. The royal couple paid a visit to China in 1979, becoming the first leaders from a Nordic country to visit the nation.

Hu said China attaches importance to its relations with Denmark and is ready to enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation with the country on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual interest, and push forward the comprehensive strategic ties between the two.

Hu also urged the two countries to join efforts in pushing forward cultural exchanges, which help deepen the people-to-people understandings.

The royal couple said the Danish people have been expecting Hu's visit, and believe his visit will enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and sustainable development.

Hu's trip to Denmark is the second top-level visit by a Chinese official to Scandinavia in less than two months. Premier Wen Jiabao traveled to Iceland and Sweden in April, forging closer business and diplomatic ties. Denmark, which is a member of the European Union, has opted out of the euro.

Hu on Friday also joined Queen Margrethe II on the royal yacht Dannebrog to tour the Copenhagen harbor, which features green developments.

Denmark is a world leader in wind energy, meeting roughly a quarter of its electricity needs with wind, and is the home to the world's biggest wind turbine manufacturer.