Danish PM says upcoming visit to China to bring ties to new high

INTENSIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Rasmussen said Denmark and China enjoy close cooperation on international issues, as the two countries have been trading nations and strong supporters of free trade and global cooperation.

He noted that Denmark is one of the co-founders of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and one of the first Western countries to declare support for the multilateral development bank, which he said would stimulate development and infrastructure construction in Asia.

On global climate issues, Rasmussen said China had taken a leading role in addressing these challenges.

"We applaud any engagement that helps address this serious threat. We believe that Danish experiences -- with an economic model that does not depend on increasing energy usage -- can serve as inspiration," he said.

Rasmussen noted that China is currently the second-largest economy in the world and is set to become the largest in the next decade.

"Anything that China does will have an effect not only on Asia but also on the rest of the world. We wish to join China on this trip."

BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE -- A DYNAMO

Rasmussen said China's Belt and Road Initiative is a very interesting diplomatic strategy.

"Further connecting Europe and Asia firmly through trade and bilateral cooperation can hopefully be a future dynamo for growth and prosperity for both continents," said the prime minister.

The Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was brought up by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes.

In the interview, Rasmussen said the initiative can hopefully provide economic stability and development for Central and South Asia -- gateways between East Asia and Europe.

"This will be crucial for trade between the two biggest concentrations of economic power," he said, adding that Denmark, as one of the world's foremost shipping nations, has already been engaged in linking the continents for centuries.

Denmark has been invited to participate in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held on May 14-15 in Beijing.

"We will attend and be happy to contribute positively on both political and company levels during the conference," Rasmussen said.

CHINA-DENMARK TOURISM YEAR

Earlier this year, the two countries jointly launched the China-Denmark Tourism Year 2017 in Beijing. Rasmussen said he hopes to see more Danes visiting China as well as more Chinese visiting Denmark.

"Tourism is a very important part of improving people-to-people exchanges and this was why I first launched the idea with your president Xi Jinping in 2016. Now it has become a reality and it has created a momentum for the relevant national tourism authorities as well as private companies to further explore opportunities for citizens in our two countries to travel abroad," Rasmussen said.

The prime minister said the Danish government has recently streamlined visa procedures for Chinese tourists to Denmark, and would make it easier for designated travelling companies in China to offer interesting trips to Denmark.

"We are very fond of this development, and look forward to receiving many more Chinese visitors to Denmark," he said.