Hu pledges support to solve eurozone debt crisis

COPENHAGEN -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday China will work with the rest of the international community to support Europe's efforts to solve the debt crisis and promote economic stability.

President Hu, who was on a state visit to Denmark, made the pledge while meeting with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

Hu is the first Chinese head of state to visit the Nordic country since the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Beijing and Copenhagen 62 years ago.

Denmark is now holding the rotating European Union (EU) presidency as the devastating debt storm continues in the region.

China hopes the European economy could maintain stability, and believes that the continent is wise and capable enough to overcome the crisis and restore recovery and growth, said the Chinese president.

He also hoped the Danish side could play a positive role in promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU.

Thorning-Schmidt said Europe appreciates China for its efforts together with those of the international community to confront the debt crisis.

She added that Denmark will continue to work on developing an even closer cooperative partnership between the EU and China.

On bilateral ties, Hu said China and Denmark, with their comprehensive strategic partnership, have seen an ever stronger political mutual trust, fruitful economic and trade cooperation, as well as close exchanges in the cultural, technological and educational sectors, and have maintained good communication and coordination in the United Nations and other multilateral bodies on international affairs.

The Chinese president said the smooth development of China-Denmark relations has proved that as long as the two countries treat each other as equals on the basis of mutual respect and win-win results, and respect their core interests, major concerns and the choice of their social systems and development paths, they could enjoy a long-term, sound and steady development of bilateral ties.

Hu also urged the two nations to strengthen political mutual trust, maintain high-level contacts, step up exchanges and cooperation between the legislatures, government bodies, and political parties of the two sides.

To deepen economic and trade investment and cooperation, the Chinese president said, there is a huge potential for cooperation between China and Denmark in energy, green economy, agriculture, food safety and bio-pharmacy.

He added that China welcomes Danish firms to increase their investment in China and would encourage Chinese companies to do business in Denmark.

Hu also suggested that two countries promote their cooperation in energy conservation and environmental protection, including the establishment of an eco-park and an innovation center for wind power and smart grid, and support cooperation projects on renewable energy like biomass energy.

Speaking of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Hu said the two nations should encourage language education, expand student and scholars exchanges, encourage vocational education, and set up cultural centers at an early date.

The Chinese leader called for closer Sino-Danish cooperation in multilateral affairs, saying that China would like to step up cooperation with Denmark in climate change, development assistance and other major international issues, and to enhance their communication within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks.

Thorning-Schmidt said Hu's visit to her nation is a new and major milestone for bilateral ties, adding that China's strong economic growth matters a great deal to Denmark and to the world at a time of global economic uncertainty and instability.

The Danish prime minister also hoped that two countries could cooperate with each other in such areas as energy, environmental protection, water resources, shipping, food safety, communication, as well as scientific and technological research and development.

After the talks, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation agreement concerning trade, investment, energy and culture.

The Chinese leader started his state visit to Denmark on Thursday. He met with Danish Queen Margrethe II on Friday.

China and Denmark have expanded fruitful cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, educational, scientific and technological fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950.

In 2008, the two nations established a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Later on Saturday, Hu concluded his visit to Denmark and left here for Los Cabos, Mexico to attend a G20 summit, which will address pressing issues affecting global economic recovery.