Cultural gain

Meanwhile, culture and educational exchanges are also gaining steam, with artists and performers from both countries making frequent visits to China and Denmark.

In 2010, the Little Mermaid, Denmark's national treasure and most recognizable symbol, made its first overseas appearance at the Shanghai World Expo, on loan from Denmark.

A showcase for Denmark's eco-friendly vision and cultural appeal, the Denmark Pavilion at the Expo attracted over 5.5 million visitors.

Chinese language and culture are becoming increasingly popular in Denmark. Many Danish schools offer Chinese language teaching courses and hold contests that test Chinese language skills and cultural learning.

Moreover, the resident Chinese community in Denmark has held New Year activities here for 11 consecutive years. Their efforts have introduced and promoted traditional Chinese culture.

In 2008, Beijing's Renmin University and Copenhagen Business School took a big step in strengthening bilateral educational links by establishing the Copenhagen Business Confucius Institute.

The facility became the second Business Confucius Institute in the world. The Confucius Institute for Innovation & Learning at Aalborg University, in northern Denmark, was also established a year later.

In April 2010, the Partnership Agreement and the Building Agreement of the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research were signed in Beijing in the presence of Chinese Premier Wen.

Since then, eight Danish universities have joined forces with the Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (GUCAS) to establish a new Sino-Danish University Center in China.

The center will carry out education and research cooperation in five areas: water and environment, renewable energy, nano-science, life sciences and social sciences. The Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research is expected to be fully operational in 2013.

Moving ahead

The Sino-Danish relationship has the potential for delivering great economic benefits to both Denmark and China, which is sparing no effort to implement its 12th Five Year Plan for the purpose of realizing sustainable development.

In this regard, Denmark's technical advantages in delivering a green economy, environment science and innovation are of much relevance because it can provide the technical solutions that the Chinese market wants.

Those wants include healthcare solutions, renewable energy technologies, welfare and elderly care solutions, food and food safety products and energy efficiency technologies.

The two countries also have extensive common interests in addressing global challenges such as climate change, energy and resource security, and transnational crimes. To this end, the countries have maintained good two-way communications on major international and regional affairs.

President Hu's forthcoming visit to Denmark will greatly enrich the cooperation and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

With the joint efforts of the governments and peoples from both countries, and with the two nations adhering to the principle of mutual respect and equality, the Sino-Danish comprehensive strategic partnership has huge potential for development and can look securely toward an even brighter future.