China and Denmark kick off year of tourism

China and Denmark launched the China-Denmark Tourism Year 2017 in Beijing on Friday, aiming to boost travel and tourism.

President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the opening ceremony of the event, saying that the people of China and Denmark enjoy a long history of friendship.

"Danish author Hans Christian Andersen mentioned China in several of his works, showing the Danish people's longing for China," he said.