Danish FM stresses dialogue with China in Copenhagen talks

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen hosted his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Copenhagen on Thursday, stressing the importance of maintaining open channels with Beijing during the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Denmark in 15 years. Rasmussen said he "had honest (and) good discussions" with Wang regarding Danish-Chinese relations, trade policy and the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a statement released by the Danish Foreign Ministry on social media platform X. "China is indispensable politically as well as economically. That's why dialogue matters - also on issues we disagree on," the Danish minister noted.

Beijing urges 'constructive' EU role

Wang told Rasmussen that bilateral relations have maintained "healthy and stable development" given China's position as Denmark's top trading partner in Asia. Recalling that Denmark was the first Nordic country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China in 2008, Wang said Beijing hopes Copenhagen "would play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of EU-China relations." "China and the EU are partners, not adversaries; cooperation should be the fundamental aspect and main theme of China-EU relations," he added.

Nordic tour continues

The Chinese foreign minister is expected to meet Danish King Frederik on Friday before traveling to Stockholm for talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. Wang will subsequently visit Helsinki to meet Finnish President Alexander Stubb and top diplomat Elina Valtonen, concluding his week-long itinerary in Oslo alongside Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide next week.