Chinese FM Wang Yi Meets Danish King in Copenhagen

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with King Frederik X of Denmark at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen on July 3, 2026, in a high-level diplomatic engagement that underscored the enduring ties between the two nations. The meeting, which took place on the first leg of Wang’s week-long tour of four Nordic countries, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in emerging fields including green technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence.

A Historic Visit

Wang Yi’s visit to Denmark is the first by a Chinese foreign minister in 15 years and the first high-level face-to-face meeting since Denmark’s new government took office in June 2026, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. The visit is part of a broader Nordic diplomatic tour spanning Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway from July 2 to 8.

During the audience at the royal palace, King Frederik X conveyed warm wishes from Queen Margrethe II and himself to President Xi Jinping, emphasizing the long history of exchanges between Denmark and China. “Denmark and China have a long history of exchanges, and the two peoples share a friendship,” the King said, as reported by People’s Daily. He noted that bilateral relations are developing well, with active economic and trade cooperation and close people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping’s greetings in return and highlighted the milestone of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark in 2026. He recalled that Queen Margrethe II made two state visits to China during her reign and was the first foreign head of state in office to visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre — a gesture Wang described as demonstrating “respect for history and adherence to justice.”

“China is willing to further strengthen cooperation with Denmark in emerging fields such as green economy, innovation and development, and artificial intelligence, and to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges,” Wang said, according to People’s Daily.

Denmark was the first Nordic country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China in 2008, and China remains Denmark’s largest trading partner in Asia, according to Anadolu Agency.

Dialogue on Differences

Earlier on July 3, Wang Yi also held talks with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The discussions covered bilateral relations, trade policy, and the Russia-Ukraine war. Rasmussen emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication, stating that “China is indispensable politically as well as economically. That’s why dialogue matters — also on issues we disagree on.”

Rasmussen described the discussions as “honest (and) good,” reflecting a pragmatic approach to managing differences while sustaining cooperation. Wang, for his part, called on Denmark to “play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of EU-China relations,” and reiterated that “China and the EU are partners, not adversaries.”

Broader Nordic Engagement

Wang Yi’s Nordic tour comes at a time of complex EU-China trade relations, including new EU import duties on Chinese products. According to Scandasia, the visit signals China’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with Nordic nations amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told Global Times that the visit reflects a “return to pragmatism” in Nordic countries’ China policies, recognizing China’s important role in advancing multilateral cooperation.

Following his engagements in Denmark, Wang Yi is scheduled to visit Sweden, Finland, and Norway through July 8, with meetings planned with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

Looking Ahead

The royal audience and ministerial talks in Copenhagen have reaffirmed the mutual interest in maintaining strong bilateral ties between China and Denmark. As both countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, the visit has opened avenues for deeper cooperation in green transition, innovation, and trade — areas where Denmark and China have significant互补 (complementary) strengths. The coming days will reveal whether Wang’s broader Nordic tour yields concrete agreements and further strengthens China’s engagement with Northern Europe.