Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, arrived in Copenhagen Monday for a three-day visit to Denmark, the third leg of a 14-day, four-nation tour that has already taken him to Russia and Bulgaria.  

On arriving at the airport, Wu expressed his confidence that the visit will enhance ties by promoting understanding and trust. He added that China will expand exchange and cooperation with Denmark on the basis of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity.

Diplomatic relations between China and the Scandinavian country date back to 1950. Denmark was one of the first Western countries to recognize the People's Republic of China.

Bilateral trade has jumped from the just under US$300 million in 1992 to US$2.5 billion last year.

While China mainly exports garments, plastic products, shoes, medicines, toys and suitcases, Denmark provides China with such items as food processing equipment, chemical fertilizer and power-generation facilities.

China and Denmark signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this year on providing visas to Chinese tourists, indicating that Denmark has become yet another tourist destination for China.

Wu, China's top lawmaker, is scheduled to meet today with the Presidium of the Danish Parliament, Parliament Speaker Christian Mejdahl, chairmen of the parliamentary groups and members of the Foreign Policy Committee. He will meet Queen Margrethe II and Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen tomorrow.

Also on Wu's itinerary is the Avedore Power Station, a state-of-the-art plant that provides efficient electricity and heating.

He will travel to Norway tomorrow.

(China Daily June 1, 2004)