Danish Queen invites President Xi to pay state visit

World
Europe

01:39

After weeks of hosting foreign leaders in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping is granted audience with a royal ruler.

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II has invited Xi to pay an official state visit to her country.

Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing Thursday and extended the queen's news.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Denmark's Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen at the Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China, June 21, 2018. /Reuters Photo

"You, of course, also have an open invitation to visit Denmark, at a mutually convenient time," said Samuelsen to Wang when they met at the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

At Wang’s invitation, Samuelsen is currently on a visit to China that will last from June 20 to 22.

During their meeting, Wang said Denmark is one of China's most important European partners and allies. He added that bilateral ties have maintained good momentum over the years, and that China is ready to go further.

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Denmark," said Wang. "This milestone marks a new beginning for bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Denmark to realize the consensus reached by our leaders."

He stated that China will uphold the principles of mutual respect and equality to ensure win-win cooperation, as it continues to strengthen exchanges with Denmark.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Denmark's Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen at the Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China, June 21, 2018. /Reuters Photo‍

Samuelsen said the Danish government firmly upholds the one-China policy and considers Tibet a part of China.

The Danish foreign minister also said his country is willing to deepen discussions of cooperation under China's Belt & Road Initiative.

According to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bilateral trade with China reached over 100 billion yuan in 2015, making China one of Denmark's largest trade partners in Asia.

Under the China-Denmark Joint Work Program (2017-2020), trade is growing quickly in areas such as green energy, agriculture, high-end manufacturing, creation & innovation, infrastructure, tourism and education.

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