Wang Yi in Copenhagen: China and Denmark Reset Ties on Landmark Nordic Tour
COPENHAGEN — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held formal talks with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Copenhagen on Thursday, marking the first stop of a landmark seven-day Nordic tour that will also take him to Sweden, Finland, and Norway. The meeting, followed by a working dinner at Tivoli Gardens, represents the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Denmark in 15 years and to Sweden in 22 years, according to China Daily.
A Historic Diplomatic Reset
The talks covered bilateral trade, green transition cooperation, and international issues of mutual concern, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening ties. Wang Yi also had a personal audience with King Frederik X of Denmark during the visit, Xinhua News reported.
“China and Denmark have a long history of exchanges and have achieved a number of ‘firsts,’” Wang Yi said during the talks, noting that Denmark was the first Nordic country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and the first to establish a green transition cooperation mechanism with Beijing.
Denmark was among the first Western countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China, and Queen Margrethe II was the first Western head of state to visit China after its reform and opening up. The two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in May 2025, when Wang Yi and Rasmussen last met in Beijing.
Trade and Green Cooperation at the Forefront
China is Denmark’s largest trading partner in Asia, and unlike the broader EU-China trade imbalance — where the European Union runs a significant deficit — Denmark’s trade balance with China is relatively balanced. Both sides agreed to launch discussions on a new version of the Green Joint Work Program, focusing on green transition, scientific innovation, green shipping, and healthcare.
Wang Yi expressed hope that Danish enterprises would continue investing in China and called on Denmark to provide “an open, fair and predictable business environment” for Chinese companies. Rasmussen affirmed that Danish businesses remain confident about China’s development prospects and are willing to continue cultivating the Chinese market over the long term, according to the Chinese Mission to the UN.
Addressing Differences Openly
While both sides emphasized cooperation, Rasmussen did not shy away from areas of disagreement. In remarks published ahead of the meeting, the Danish foreign minister identified two primary concerns: China’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and EU-China trade imbalances.
“China’s support for Russia’s warfare in Ukraine worries us very much, and it also damages China’s reputation among Western European populations,” Rasmussen told Politiken, Denmark’s leading newspaper. He also raised the possibility of EU sanctions against China over the issue.
“We cannot get around China, neither politically nor economically, if we want to get a grip on any of the world’s fundamental challenges,” Rasmussen told KNR, Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation. “We are, for better or worse, economically connected with China, and that gives us a lot to talk about.”
Broader Geopolitical Context
Wang Yi’s Nordic tour comes at a moment of significant flux in global affairs. Just days before his arrival, the EU set a strict October deadline for tangible results on trade imbalances with China following crunch talks in Brussels. European leaders have adopted a more robust policy toward Beijing amid fears of an industrial shock to the European economy.
According to the South China Morning Post, Beijing is testing whether shifting geopolitical dynamics — including transatlantic turmoil — can create openings among Nordic countries that have been among the EU’s most China-critical voices.
Wang Yi framed China-EU relations in conciliatory terms, stating that “China and the EU are partners rather than rivals, and cooperation should remain the defining feature of China-EU relations.” He expressed hope that Denmark would play a constructive role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China ties.
What to Watch For
Wang Yi will continue his Nordic tour through July 8, with scheduled stops in Sweden, Finland, and Norway. Each leg presents its own diplomatic dynamics: Sweden and Finland, as recent NATO members, bring security dimensions to the discussions, while Norway shares Arctic interests with China. The outcomes of the Copenhagen talks will likely set the tone for the remainder of the tour, as Beijing seeks to test whether its diplomatic overtures can gain traction among Europe’s Nordic states.
Rasmussen summarized the Danish approach succinctly: “We must also be able to talk about the things we disagree on. This applies both in trade policy, and I also expect an open and frank discussion of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.”