Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that China and Europe are partners, not rivals, and that cooperation should be the fundamental and defining feature of China-Europe relations.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, reiterated China's stance during a meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Copenhagen on the first stop of his week-long visit to four Nordic countries: Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Wang expressed the hope that Denmark will play a constructive role in fostering the sound and steady development of relations between China and Europe, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry following the meeting.

Noting that China-Denmark relations remain sound and stable, Wang said that as China remains Denmark's largest trading partner in Asia, the two countries have reaped fruitful outcomes in economic and trade cooperation over the years.

China stands ready to further expand trade and investment cooperation with Denmark, he said.

China is willing to launch negotiations with Denmark on an updated green joint work program, and the two sides, led by green cooperation, will deepen collaboration in scientific research and innovation, green shipping, healthcare and other fields, Wang added.

He said the Chinese side hopes that Danish businesses will remain confident in China and continue to invest in the country, and that Denmark will provide an open, fair and predictable business environment for Chinese companies.

Rasmussen said the current Denmark-China relationship is enjoying strong and robust growth momentum, with trade and green development emerging as prominent highlights of cooperation.

Denmark looks forward to sustaining exchanges with China at all levels and continuing open and candid dialogue between the two sides, he added.

Denmark stands ready to explore the formulation of a new updated green joint work program and bolster exchanges and cooperation across trade, economy, culture, healthcare, education and other fields, Rasmussen said.

He added that Danish businesses are fully confident in China's development prospects and committed to long-term development and in-depth engagement in the Chinese market.

Denmark also commits to playing an active role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation between Europe and China, he said.

China, Denmark reaffirm ties, multilateral coordination

During the talks, the Chinese foreign minister also recalled the long-standing history of exchanges between China and Denmark, marked by a number of milestones of "firsts."

Denmark was the first Nordic country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and also the first country to set up a bilateral cooperation mechanism on green transition with China, and Queen Margrethe II was the first Western head of state to visit China after the country initiated its reform and opening-up policy, Wang said.

These milestones fully demonstrate Denmark's strategic vision and historical initiative in developing its relations with China, he added.

Wang said the two countries should firmly uphold the political foundation of bilateral ties.

China appreciates Denmark's adherence to the one-China principle and supports Denmark in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and basic norms governing international relations, he said.

Citing instabilities in the current international landscape, Wang said both China and Denmark, current members of the UN Security Council, should uphold multilateralism, champion the rule of law in international affairs and support the central role of the UN in global governance.

The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination on multilateral affairs, advance the building of a more just and equitable global governance system, oppose all unilateral and bullying acts, and prevent the return of the law of the jungle in international relations, thus contributing to safeguarding world peace and stability as well as promoting global prosperity and development, he added.

Rasmussen recalled that Denmark was among the first Western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China, and said that Denmark and China, as comprehensive strategic partners, share extensive interests.

Denmark has consistently adhered to the one-China policy, which has also been supported by a resolution adopted by the Danish parliament, Rasmussen said.

Against a backdrop of rising uncertainties in the global landscape, Denmark values China's role as a major country, he said.

Rasmussen added that Denmark stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China under the framework of the UN and other multilateral platforms, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and jointly address various global challenges.