China Respects Denmark's Sovereignty In Greenland, Foreign Minister Wang Yi Expects The Same

Foreign Minister Wang Yi when receiving Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. (Source: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that China fully respects Denmark's sovereignty in Greenland, expecting the country to also apply otherwise, when it accepts its counterpart Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Beijing, Monday.

Foreign Minister Wang praised China and Denmark's stable and healthy relations, upholding equality, respecting and accommodating each other's interests.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China's respect for Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly related to Greenland, quoted from China Daily May 19.

It is known that US President Donald Trump has insisted in recent months Washington must take over the strategic and semi-autonomous-located Denmark region.

Beijing hopes Denmark will "continue to support China's legitimate position regarding issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Foreign Minister said.

The meeting came after Beijing criticized Denmark for hosting former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen last week, who met with Danish lawmakers and gave a speech at a summit in Copenhagen.

China claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory. The Taiwanese government rejects Beijing's claim to sovereignty.

Relations between China and Denmark are challenged by informal relations with Taiwan and hit their lowest point in 2009, when the Dalai Lama visited Copenhagen.

However, relations improved after Denmark accepted China's offer in the form of two pandas as part of the so-called " panda diplomacy."

The cooperation between the two countries has a large focus on green solutions, with Denmark's expertise in wind power and environmental solutions in accordance with China's desire for a green transition.

"China is willing to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Denmark, as well as cooperation in scientific innovation and the green economy," Wang told Rasmussen.

In addition, both parties have a broad consensus on maintaining multilateralism and maintaining free trade, he said, adding that China is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the European Union.