COPENHAGEN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Denmark's leading media and business giants are closely following Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming state visit, one of whose main goals is to boost Sino-Danish economic and trade cooperation.
Denmark's national newspaper Berlingske Tidende reported last Thursday that Danish businesses are looking forward to seizing the opportunity to secure trade deals.
Among them is Danish temperature-control systems maker Danfoss.
"China's most recent 12th Five-Year Plan stresses the importance of achieving quality growth and sustainable development more than ever before," said Danfoss Chairman Joergen Clausen in an email to Xinhua.
"In response, Chinese industries and society are striving to reach green goals by saving energy and reducing carbon emissions in all aspects of work and life. This generates substantial demand for energy-efficient products and solutions," he added.
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a number of agreements are "expected to be concluded" during Hu's visit, Denmark's national television broadcaster DR News reported last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Berlingske Tidende quoted Danish Trade Minister Pia Olsen Dyhr as saying that "I absolutely expect that we will close a number of export deals with China."
Danish shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world's largest container shipping line, said Hu's visit will boost the existing good momentum in bilateral trade and cultural relations.
"We expect that the president's visit will support this momentum and enhance the understanding of China by Danish business and public in general," said Maersk Group CEO Nils S. Andersen in an email to Xinhua.
Maersk Group has invested heavily in terminals, logistics and container factories in China, a country that remains "a key market" and "a powerhouse for growth in Asia and the world," he said.
Danish experts said Denmark will seek to use its core economic strengths to secure good business deals with China, including low public debt, limited exposure to the euro area sovereign debt crisis, and special competences in renewable energy technologies, waste and water management, food products and food safety standards.
"We have some competences in Denmark which can be used in China and which can make it easier for China to fulfill their Five-Year Plans," said Tom Jensen, secretary-general of the Danish-Chinese Business Forum (DCBF).
"Denmark can also offer Chinese companies a good platform for their activities in Europe and especially northern Europe, so from that perspective, I see a bright two-way street opening up," he told Xinhua.
Chinese President Hu is scheduled to pay a state visit to Denmark from June 14-16.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Song Tao told reporters in Beijing on Monday that during Hu's visit, the two countries will sign agreements on mutual investment, tariffs, energy, environment protection, agriculture, education and culture.
