Foreign and Military Affairs

Chinese, Danish ministers satisfied with commercial ties

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-18 11:28

COPENHAGEN - Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming and Danish Economic Minister Brian Mikkelsen Monday hailed the current bilateral commercial ties as strong and constructive while seeing great potential for further economic cooperation.

Chen is visiting Denmark as the head of a large trade and investment delegation composed of more than 100 Chinese entrepreneurs. This has been the largest ever Chinese trade delegation to visit Denmark.

At the Danish-Chinese Trade and Investment Symposium Monday, both ministers expressed their satisfaction with the development of commercial ties during the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

With joint efforts of both countries, bilateral trade and economic relations have continued to develop, while the volume of trade and investment has continued to rise, Chen said.

He noted that Denmark is China's second largest source of investment, and third largest trading partner and source of technology imports among the Nordic countries.

"Since the outbreak of the international financial crisis, the bilateral economic and trade cooperation has suffered some negative impact. However, the overall trend of development has not changed between Denmark and China," he said.

Chen expressed the hope that together, Denmark and China would build a better future for trade and economic cooperation with the support of both governments, joint efforts of business leaders, and under the principle of win-win and common development.

He also reaffirmed China's stance on advocating free trade and opposing trade and investment protectionism.

Mikkelsen said commercial relations between China and Denmark have always been strong, friendly and constructive.

"In 2008, China became Denmark's biggest trading partner outside of Europe. A great number of Danish companies are represented with direct subsidiaries and sales in China," he said.

He invited Chinese investments to Denmark, noting Danish companies are among the world leaders in Cleantech, food safety and health care.

During Chen's visit, the two sides signed trade and economic cooperation documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding regarding Danish and Chinese cooperation, and many other import and export contracts.

Monday's symposium focused on five business areas: cleantech, agriculture, innovative healthcare, information technology and telecommunication, and rail transport.