President Jiang Zemin Meets Danish Prime Minister

President Jiang Zemin Meets Danish PM Rasmussen

Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with Danish Prime Minister Poul Rasmussen in Shanghai May 13 morning. President Jiang extended a warm welcome to Rasmussen, who is visiting China on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Danish diplomatic relations, speaking highly of Denmark's forging diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China shortly after its founding in 1949.

He said Sino-Danish relations have developed steadily over the past five decades and such relations have exhibited good development momentum and enormous potential especially in recent years, adding that during his stay in Shanghai, Rasmussen has seen China's rapid economic growth, and the two countries can be able to further cooperate with each other at a time when China's economy continues to grow and the Chinese government has put more emphasis on developing its central and western parts.

He said he hopes that Sino-Danish relations will develop further in the next 50 years.

Rasmussen said that he was happy to have this opportunity to visit China on this special occasion, adding that Denmark values China's position and role in the international arena, and places great importance on its relations with China.

Recalling his visit to China 20 years ago, he said that during his visit this time, he has seen great changes in the country. He expressed his admiration for it.

He added that he had wide-ranging and frank talks with Premier Zhu Rongji and other senior Chinese officials, reaching consensus on many issues.

Denmark agrees to China's stance that Sino-Danish cooperation should be based on equality and mutual respect, Rasmussen said, adding that his country would like to engage in comprehensive cooperation with China, including cooperation and exchanges on the human rights issue.

On the human rights issue, Jiang briefed Rasmussen on China's great achievements in this area, saying that the world is diversifying, and although the two countries have different views on some issues, China is willing to expand common ground and mutual understanding with Denmark through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect.