Denmark and China as strategic partners

Political relations between Denmark and China have become markedly closer, stronger and more diversified, especially since the two countries agreed to build a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership back in 2008. Meanwhile, we have witnessed a surge in bilateral trade, rapidly turning China into our second-largest trade partner outside of Europe. On most accounts, in other words, Danish-Chinese relations appear to be quite harmonious as illustrated by the forthcoming transfer of two giant pandas to Copenhagen ZOO, the ultimate gesture of Chinese goodwill. However, being two very different countries with discrete historical backgrounds and systems of government, signs of dissonance are still discernible, even if Denmark has taken pains to keep a low official profile on sensitive issues such as the worsening human rights situation under Xi Jinping. Indeed, the deeper the bilateral relationship between Denmark and China grows, and the more powerful China becomes, the harder it will be for Denmark to voice any political concerns that go against China’s core interests.

DIIS researcher Andreas Bøje Forsby has written a chapter in a newly published Routledge volume entitled China and Nordic Diplomacy (edited by Bjørnar Sverdrup-Thygeson). In his chapter, Forsby sheds light on five central aspects of Danish-Chinese relations: The historical background, the burgeoning economic relationship, the central components of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Denmark’s Arctic profile and the changing nature of the critical dialogue on human rights. The chapter ends with Hu Jintao’s controversial state visit in 2012 to Copenhagen, where local police forces violated peaceful demonstrators’ constitutional right to freedom of expression.