Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt Delivers a Speech at Peiyang Lecture

On September 10, 2014, Tianjin University (TJU) welcomed the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, Her Excellency Helle Thorning-Schmidt. Her Excellency delivered a speech tiltedThe bilateral relations between China and Denmark-a perfect match today and in the futureat Peiyang Lecture and interacted with TJU students.

The visit to TJU is an important component of Her Excellency’s four-day visit to China that wraps up on September 12.

Her Excellency felt pleased to speak at TJU, the oldest and one of the most famous universities in China. She stressed in her speech that the two countries should enhance exchanges and mutual learning, expand cooperation and personnel exchanges, support the exchanges between young students, and strengthen mutual understanding and friendship.

“When I was 19 years old, I visited China for the first time. I travelled for two months in China with a backpack and some friends and had fantastic experiences. I was invited by some Chinese students to come to speak to them and their fellow students in the University of Changsha. What I remember most was the good atmosphere between us and how welcome they made us feel…”

“Today I have a different position. I am the Prime Minister of Denmark. In that position, I am all privileged to talk and to move on the Chinese and Danish relationship.”

Her Excellency suggested that both countries should expand partnership from energy conservation, environment protection to food safety to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Denmark to a new level.

Her Excellency’s four-day visit was also highlighted by the meetings with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday and with Premier Li Keqiang in Tianjin the following day.

Her Excellency suggested Chinese students to make Denmark one of their destinations for further study, research, career development and tour. She pointed out the important role Chinese students take in promoting bilateral relationship.

The speech was followed by a lively Q & A session when Her Excellency interacted with TJU students on bilateral relations between the two countries. Then she visited some labs in the TJU School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology.

According to Her Excellency, now there are many institutions and platforms for cooperation between the two countries. For example, the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research. It’s a strategic partnership focusing on education and research, involving all eight Danish universities and Chinese Academy of Sciences. Now it serves as an important bridgehead for bilateral exchange and cooperation. A new University Center is going to be built in Beijing. The first joint assignment of Chinese and Danish master students graduated this summer after two year study.