China supplement 2019 - Celebrating the Year of the Pig

CHINA

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN DENMARK

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR AMBASSADOR HER EXCELLENCY MADAM DENG YING AMID THE BOOM OF FIRECRACKERS A YEAR HAS COME TO AN END, AND THE SPRING WIND HAS WAFTED WARM BREATH TO THE WINE. WE WAVE OUR HANDS TO THE FRUITFUL 2018 AND USHER IN THE PROMISEFUL 2019.

PHOTOGRAPHS CHINESE EMBASSY IN DENMARK

2018 MARKS THE beginning of China putting into action the guiding principles of the 19th CPC National Congress. The Chinese government and people resolutely implement the strategic plan of 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, whereby we constantly advance law-based governance, comprehensively deepen reform, continue expanding opening up, making headway towards securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. The 40 years of practice beholds to the fact that reform and opening-up have not only fundamentally transformed China’s performance, influencing contemporary China in a decisive way, but also crucially swaying the world as a whole, contributing to the shared development of China and the outside world. With constant and sound economic growth, a prosperous and stable society, China’s annual average contribution to global economic growth has stayed above 30 percent, providing reference to other developing countries in pursuit of growth and governance. China is making significant contribution in various fields including peace-keeping, anti-terrorism, addressing climate change and disaster-relief, offering a peaceful option in resolving international and regional hotspot issues.

The year 2018 marks the harvest year for China’s diplomacy. Major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is breaking new grounds. China successfully held the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Qingdao, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit, and the First China International Import Expo. The Belt and Road Initiative is witnessing sound and steady development.

China is ever more proactive in safeguarding free trade and economic globalization,

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building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The year 2018 also marks the 10th anniversary of China-Denmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We are glad to see ever-frequent high-level exchanges, ever-deepening political trust, ever-fruitful cooperation, which pushes forward with the implementation of China-Denmark Joint Work Program. Through the year, the two sides have staged a number of celebrating activities, playing out the symphony of China-Denmark friendship. We offered mutual support to major diplomatic events such as the 1st China International Import Expo, the 1st P4G summit and the 18th international anti-corruption conference. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik, the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Development Cooperation, Minister for Culture and Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Minister for the Environment and Food paid their successful visits to China. Meanwhile, Minister Wang Zhigang, Director Chen Guomeng visited Denmark. Bilateral visits of vice ministerial level and above number nearly 50. All these speak of the depth and width of our bilateral ties.

The celebration of the 10th anniversary of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is colorful and well-received. The Happy Chinese New Year Celebration brought Chinese festival warmth to locals in winter. The Peking opera version of Hamlet exhibited special charm combining Eastern and Western art styles. The Second China Denmark Regions and Cities Forum was successfully convened in Aarhus, facilitating cooperation in fields such as green solutions, health and eldercare, as well as sustainable agriculture and food. China-Denmark green maritime technology round-table meeting was successfully held in Shanghai in December. We are glad to see that with joint efforts, our partnership is enjoying an ever solid polit-

ical consensus, ever popular support and ever strong economic ties, with its content constantly enriched.

The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. China is in a crucial phase of Securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and pushing forward its economic restructuring. China is firmly committed to deepening reform and opening wider, developing an open economy at a higher level, making new ground in pursuing opening up on all fronts. Looking at the international stage, the trend toward openness and integration among countries is unstoppable despite ups and downs in the global economy. China firmly upholds free trade and the rulesbased multilateral trading system in its efforts to ensure strong, balanced, sustainable and inclusive growth of the global economy. China Denmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is entering a new decade, making a new historic starting point, with new opportunities for our bilateral relations. I am really glad that the Panda House in Copenhagen Zoo is undergoing smooth construction. And I am expecting the arrival of the two envoys of giant pandas, making their contribution to our exchanges and friendship. We are willing to work with our Danish friends in pooled efforts to continuously expand common interests, enhance consensus in policies and concepts, and strengthen complementary cooperation so as to build an even brighter future for our Strategic Partnership.

We are embracing the Jihai Year of Pig really soon. On behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Denmark, I would like to take this opportunity to convey our best wishes to all our friends. May your dreams come true. May China-Denmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ever more fruitful! THE-INTL

CHINA’S REFORM AND OPENING UP 2018 MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHINA’S REFORM AND OPENING UP. PHOTOGRAPHS XINHUA/XING GUANGLI / XINHUA/WANG YE / ISTOCKPHOTOS

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THIS YEAR MARKS the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up.

Over the past 40 years, the country has transformed itself from a largely agricultural nation into the second largest economy in the world. The Chinese people, under the strong leadership of the CPC, worked hard with persistence, achieved epic accomplishments and brought great changes to China.

40 years after reform and opening-up: China’s GDP increased 82 times to $12.24 trillion in 2017, or 15% of global economy, making it the world’s second-largest economy.

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FOUR MAJOR DIPLOMATIC EVENTS HELD IN CHINA IN 2018

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The year 2018 kicks off efforts to implement the decisions of the 19th Party Congress. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the diplomatic career takes new steps and makes new strides. The main highlights of China’s diplomatic calendar in 2018 include four events.

The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference was held in Hainan this April and focused on reform and opening-up.

In this 40th anniversary year of reform and opening-up, we reviewed China’s successful experience and sketched new possibilities for reform and opening-up in the new era.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was held in Qingdao this June and focused on revitalizing the Shanghai Spirit. The expanded SCO rededicates itself to the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust and benefit, equal-footed consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development. The summit sets the SCO on a new journey of consolidation and growth.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit was held in Beijing this September and focused on the Belt and Road Initiative. A great opportunity for African brothers and sisters to participate fully in the BRI, the Summit gives new impetus to the China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.

The first China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai this November and focused on further market opening. China embraces the world with open arms and enormous market potential. THE-INTL

#1 The opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference is held in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, April 10, 2018.

(Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

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#2 The 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is held in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, June 10, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the meeting and delivered a speech.

(Xinhua/Ding Lin)

#3 The Beijing Summit of the Forum

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on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2018.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech titled “Work Together for Common Development and a Shared Future” at the opening ceremony of the summit.

(Xinhua/Wang Ye)

#4 Chinese President Xi Jinping takes group photos with foreign leaders before the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 5, 2018.

(Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

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CHINA’S ECONOMY ON THE WHOLE STABLE AND MAKING GOOD PROGRESS

PHOTOGRAPHS CHINESE EMBASSY IN DENMARK / ISTOCKPHOTO

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FOR THE FIRST three quarters of the year 2018, China’s GDP grew by 6.7%, including a 6.5% growth registered for the third quarter, meeting the targeted goal for growth. Grain output for the whole year is projected to surpass 600 million tons. Some 11.07 million new jobs have been created in towns and cities, hitting the annual goal ahead of schedule. Judged by the main economic indexes, from GDP growth, job creation, consumer prices and international balance of payment to companies’ profit margins, government fiscal revenue and productivity, China’s economy is truly performing well within the reasonable range. This has given a solid foundation for delivering the development goals for the whole year. Compared with other major economies, China still ranks among the world’s top in terms of GDP growth.

2018 is the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up.

The Chinese government has taken a series of measures to further open its market. During 5-10 November, the first China International Import Exposition (CIIE) has been held in Shanghai. The CIIE was proposed by the Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping, which represents a significant move of China to fight against protectionism, and safeguard free trade and multilateral trading system. During the first CIIE, there were a total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations, more than 3,600 companies and over 400, 000 professional purchasers; prospective deals have reached 57.8 billion USD. Organized by Royal Danish Consulate General in Shanghai, Confederation of Danish Industry, State of Green and Food Nation, over 20 Danish companies attended the Danish Country Pavilion and the Business Exhibition. The 2nd Session of CIIE will be held in Shanghai in November next year. We sincerely invite the Danish companies to the event and benefit from the Chinese market.

2018 is a big and fruitful year for China-Denmark economic and commercial cooperation. In the first three quarters, the import and export of goods reached 9.2 billion USD, increasing by 0.2%. The bilateral investment keeps strong momentum. The Sino-Danish Investment Working Group Meeting was held in Copenhagen. In May, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Denmark (CCCD) was established. In December, China-Denmark green maritime technology round-table meeting was held in Shanghai, which was an important event both for the maritime cooperation and the 10th anniversary of China-Denmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In the latest World Bank Doing Business Report, China moved up 32 places in the ease of doing business ranking from last year. Danish companies show stronger confidence in their investment in China. This year, there are four new direct flights between China and Denmark, which will greatly facilitate our economic and commercial exchanges.

Looking forward to the future of the Chinese economy, we have every reason to be confident. The fundamentals for sound and stable growth of the Chinese economy remain unchanged. The necessary production factors for high-quality development remain unchanged. And the overall momentum of long-term stability and progress remains unchanged. China’s capacity for macro-economic regulation is growing, as efforts to deepen reform across the board have unleashed new drivers of growth. With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) being further implemented, two-way investment and trade between China and the BRI partner countries have continued to gather pace. All in all, the favorable conditions are in place for the long-term, healthy and steady growth of the Chinese economy. THE-INTL

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CHINESE EDUCATION AND CONSULAR SERVICES PHOTOGRAPHS CHINESE EMBASSY IN DENMARK / ISTOCKPHOTOS

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CHINA’S EDUCATION, EDUCATION COOPERATION AND EXCHANGE BETWEEN CHINA AND CHINA With a history of over 5,000 years, China has a tradition of respecting teachers and honouring the teaching profession since ancient times.

Ancient Chinese education not only played a significant role in passing down and developing Chinese civilization, but also made tremendous contributions to the civilization of the world.

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Government has attached great importance to the educational cause and the setting up of a new socialist education system to enhance people’s educational attainment. The state safeguards the basic right to education of the people and loses no time in developing and improving a new system of education by developing schools of all types and levels to foster well-developed successors of the socialist cause.

To meet the needs of economic and social development and the challenges of the rapid progress of world science and technology, China has formulated and implemented the strategy of “revitalizing the country through science and education” and put the development of education as a strategic priority in the socialist modernization drive.

The consolidation rate of compulsory education of 9 years hits 93.4%, while the gross enrollment rate of higher education institutions hits 42.7%.

AT PRESENT SDC HAS 208 DANISH TEACHERS, 119 CHINESE TEACHERS, 244 DANISH STUDENTS AND 368 CHINESE STUDENTS. EDUCATION COOPERATION AND EXCHANGE BETWEEN CHINA AND DENMARK HAS HAD A GREAT DEVELOPMENT IN THE RECENT DECADE. ■ In September 2006 China and Denmark signed agreement on mutual recognition of academic degrees.Now more than 3000 Chinese students studying in Denmark and more than 1200 Danish students studying in China ■ Currently, there are more than 2000 Danish students and pupils studying Chinese, and a growing number of Chinese studying Danish.

■ In April 2010 the Sino-Danish Center was established in Beijing.

■ At present SDC has 208 Danish teachers,119 Chinese teachers,244 Danish students and 368 Chinese students.

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THE CONSULAR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICE Chinese diplomacy has always upheld the interest of the people.

It is committed to defending national sovereignty, security and developing interest. Consular service is one of the most important parts of Chinese diplomacy, which endeavors to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals, enterprises and legal entities, provide assistance and convenience for foreign trade, cultural and personnel exchange. In 2017, the number of Chinese people going overseas reached 146 million, over 60 times that in 1978. This dramatic change benefits from the deepening of reform and opening up and people’s improved living standards as well as the best use of diplomatic resources by Chinese government including its embassies and consulates to provide facilitation for citizens and enterprises to develop overseas.

In recent years, the Chinese Embassy in Copenhagen has made great efforts in improving the quality of service at counter, upgraded hardware and software facilities, set up efficient online application platform for applicants, offering timely assistance to those in trouble and green channel for those in urgent need. The endeavor has won acclaim from far and wide. To better service people living faraway from the capital, the Embassy has provided on-site service in cities like Alborg, Soenderborg, Aarhus and Odense on a regular basis. It is our sincere hope that our work would facilitate trade, cultural and personnel exchanges between China and Denmark. We would provide necessary assistance for visitors to China. THE-INTL

CHINESE MILITARY’S INTERNATIONAL OPERATION AND COOPERATION PHOTOGRAPHS CHINESE EMBASSY IN DENMARK / ISTOCKPHOTO

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SINCE THE 18TH CPC NATIONAL CONGRESS, THE CHINESE MILITARY HAS, IN SEEKING WIN-WIN COOPERATION, BEEN ACTIVELY PROVIDING SECURITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND EXPLORING A MODEL INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS. THE CHINESE PEACEKEEPING troops in Lebanon have cleared tens of thousands of landmines and explosives in the Death Belt along the Lebanon-Israel broder, demonstrating China’s strength with practical actions. Since 2008, the PLA Navy has deployed 29 convoys to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, which escorted over 6500 Chinese and foreign vessels, guaranteeing their complete security. The taskforces are therefore hailed as the Most Reliable Guardian in the Gulf of Aden. On 1st August 2017, China’s first support base overseas, the PLA Support Base in Djibouti opened, which will enable China to better fulfill international obligations, including conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and humanitarian aid. In 2017, a PLA Navy fleet paid a visit to Sri Lanka, but found that the country was suffering a severe flood. The Chinese officers and sailors extended a helping hand immediately, dispatching a medical team and handing over relief materi-

als. This fully demonstrated the deep friendship between the peoples of China and Sri Lanka. In July 2017, the Chinese military dispatched the PLA Peace Train medical team to Laos for the first time. The team provided free medical services to 3627 person-times of military personnel, 432 person-times of military families and 2477 person-times of local residents. They conducted 16 surgical operations and handed over 20000 boxes of medicine. They also provided medical institutions of the Lao People’s Army with a thousand sets of medical equipment devices, medicines and training appliances, opening a new chapter of pragmatic exchange and cooperation between the two militaries.

In April 2018, the first Defence Ministers’ Meeting of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) since the organization’s expansion was held in Beijing.

The defence leaders exchanged views on the current regional security situation and prospects for world peace, discussed ways and

means to enhance defence and security cooperation among the member states and agreed that the SCO should support building a community with a shared future for mankind with strengthened defence and security cooperation.

Over the past year, the Chinese military has participated in a great number of joint drills, training exercises and military competitions. These include the joint drills between the Chinese and U.S. militaries on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the joint naval drills between China and Russia, the joint training exercises between the air forces of China and Parkistan and the international military competitions. Such events not only provide training grouds to the PLA, but also boost friendship and mutual trust, and demonstrate the PLA’s will and willingness to safeguard world peace and regional stability through cooperation. THE-INTL

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A GLANCE AT CHINA’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PHOTOGRAPHS CHINESE EMBASSY IN DENMARK / ISTOCKPHOTOS

OVER THE RECENT YEARS, CHINA HAS WITNESSED DRAMATIC CHANGES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. THE S&T STRENGTHS is being enhanced along with economic rise, underpinning the improvement of China’s comprehensive national strengths. Particularly since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the innovation-driven development strategy has been implemented on all fronts, the reform on S&T system further deepened, R&D input increased continuously, innovation vitality stimulated, major outcomes created constantly and relevant systems improved gradually. China is witnessing rapid S&T development, becoming a big STI country with global impact.

Since reform and opening–up, the R&D expenditure has seen sustained and rapid growth. In 2017, it stood at 1.7606 trillion yuan, 123 times that of 1991. And the annual average growth rate reached 20.3% from 1992 to 2017, 5.3 percentage points higher than annual average GDP growth rate in the same period. This has provided strong funding guarantee for STI development in China.

R&D intensity (the ratio of R&D expenditure to GDP) is an internationally used core indicator for reflecting the S&T input of a country. In recent years, the R&D intensity has reached higher and higher levels. It ex-

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ceeded 1% for the first time in 2002, reached 2.02% in 2014 and rose to 2.13% in 2017. China has generally surpassed the average level of 15 EU countries , reaching the level of medium-developed countries.

Over the 40 years since reform and opening-up, China has put in place a series of development programs in multiple areas such as basic research (973 Program), hi-tech research (863 Program), science infrastructure and transformation of S&T achievements, set up an open and unified national management platform of S&T programs and contributed to a huge leap in S&T strengths.

The constantly increasing S&T input has dramatically improved science infrastructure, leading to a well-established research environment consisting of mega-science equipment and devices, state key labs, science data libraries, industrial technology platforms and enterprises’ technology centers. Research infrastructure has been improved continuously.

Thanks to the support of National Major S&T Projects and National High-tech R&D Program, China has made great hi-tech achievements like synthetic aperture radar satellite, new energy vehicle, ShenZhou manned spaceship, Beidou navigation satellite, Haidou unmanned submersible and Jiaolong manned submersible etc.

THE SINO-DANISH CO-OPERATION IN S&T 2018 The bilateral cooperation in science and technology has contributed significantly to

the China Denmark comprehensive strategic partnership.

Under the framework of the MoU on cooperation in science, technology and innovation signed by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Innovation Fund Denmark, more than 20 programs in water and renewable energy fields are expected to be cofunded by the two nations in 2018.

The cooperation of training yong talents has been facilitated, Shenzhen city will hold the UNLEASH in 2019 funded by Carlsberg Fundation which gathers 1,000 young talent to collaborate on solutions to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The R&D investment of Chinese hightech companies in Denmark is increasing year by year, Huawei, BGI, ShanghaiElectric and other more Chinese companies have started businesses in Denmark, and many of which have set up local R&D centers.

For a greener future for the mankind, China is willing to explore the path of sustainable development with Denmark. On Sep. 19-20, the Chinese Minister for Science and Technology attended the P4G (Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030) Copenhagen Summit 2018, he expressed China’s willingness to adhere to a global perspective in a positive and open manner and strengthen cooperation with the international community in the field of sustainable development. THE-INTL

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: A GLIMPSE OF TIBET’S DEVELOPMENT PHOTOGRAPHS CHINESE EMBASSY IN DENMARK / ISTOCKPHOTO

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WOMEN’S LIVES IMPROVED THROUGH BETTER PARTICIPATION

ECONOMIC GROWTH BRINGS BENEFITS From January to September, Tibet has achieved a regional GDP of 104.403 billion yuan, an increase of 9 percent from that of the same period last year and the region is ranked second in growth rate alongside Guizhou Province.

From January to September, the per capita disposable income of urban residents in Tibet was 25,613 yuan(3686 US dollars), an increase of 9.7 percent. The per capita disposable income of rural residents was 7,138 yuan(1027 US dollars), an increase of 11 percent. The income growth rate of urban and rural residents ranks first in the country, and is significantly higher than the country’s economic growth rate.

ECO AWARENESS ENHANCED IN LHASA Since the launch of the publicity work on the pilot project of urban household garbage classification in Chengguan District of Lhasa City, all sectors of society and community residents have been mobilized to actively participate in garbage classification, effectively advocating a green, environment-friendly, low-carbon and civilized life style, and continuously raising people’s awareness of “civilized life starts from me and everyone participates in garbage classification”.

EQUAL EDUCATION PROMOTED In 2010, Tibet achieved complete region-wide compulsory nine-year education and the illiteracy rate among young adults fell to 1.2 percent. In 2012, Tibet launched the balanced development of compulsory education.

At present, Tibet has introduced and implemented 40 student financial aid policies, including funding policies for pre-school and compulsory education as well as comprehensive projects. According to statistics, during the period of the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan”, Tibet implemented a total of 10.02 billion yuan in student financial aid and supported 7 million students.

In the past five years, southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has collected over 20 million yuan (2.9 million US dollars) for all kinds of employment training for women, and offered a total of more than 560 training sessions to help more than 20 thousand impoverished women to become entrepreneurs or get work.

In recent years, women have enjoyed policies such as financial subsidy loans for new businesses, free health screenings for two types of cancers, congenital heart diseases and hydatid disease, bonuses for pregnant women who choose hospital births, focused care for orphans and elderly people and women’s rights protection in village land rights registration, etc. in Tibet.

In recent years, Tibetan women’s cause has improved in all areas, with women’s employment rate at more than 40%, more equal education among the genders, lowered mortality rate for pregnant women of 102 in 100 thousand, lowered mortality rate for children under five-years-old of 13.7%. More women have participated in politics than ever before, more women are involved in social insurance programs, and women in poverty has drastically reduced in number, and women’s lives have improved greatly. THE-INTL

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THE CHINESE SPRING FESTIVAL AND HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2019 THE SPRING FESTIVAL IS THE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN THE LUNAR CALENDAR. COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS ‘GUO NIAN’(MEANING SPENDING THE NEW YEAR).

PHOTOGRAPHS CHINESE EMBASSY IN DENMARK / ISTOCKPHOTO

FALLING ON THE 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar, the Spring Festival is the most ceremonious and joyfully celebrated traditional festival in Chinese folk culture.

It is also regarded as an intangible cultural heritage of China.

According to the Chinese zodiac cycle, the coming year of 2019 will be the Year of Pig which starts from February 5, 2019. In Chinese culture, pig is associated with gentleness and affluence. People born in the Year of Pig are optimistic and energetic, and are believed to be blessed with good fortune in life.

When the Spring Festival is approaching each year, Chinese people would take any trouble to go back home in order to spend the festival with parents and family members and pay tributes to ancestors. With rich festival food served including Jiaozi (dumplings), the whole family will enjoy the reunion, engaged in pleasant conversation and

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sharing those beautiful prospects for the coming new year.

In addition to traditional folk activities in celebration of the Spring Festival, Chinese people have recently developed such activities as traveling, planting trees, among others, to spend a healthy, fashionable and environmental friendly new year.

As one of the biggest celebrations co-held

by Chinese Embassy in Denmark and Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ is an influential cultural brand created by Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China in 2010, which is quite popular around the world now. Since 2002, celebrations for the Chinese New Year have been launched in Denmark for 17 years.

Performances by professional art troupes from China touring around Denmark during Chinese New Year are major events for ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ in Denmark and have been well-received by Danish audience.

Performance of the year 2019 in Denmark

will be put on by Art Troupe of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) which excels at acrobatics and group dancing. China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) is a national non-governmental organization, aiming to promote the development and prosperity of literature and arts of China. The acrobatic and dancing group of CFLAC Art Troupe are prestigious teams in China which have participated in many important cultural events and been awarded various prizes. Their works combine traditional Chinese dancing style and fascinating acrobatic skills, and thereby providing the audience with unique esthetic and cultural experience. Cosponsored by Embassy of the Chinese Embassy in Denmark and the local governments of Horsens, Sønderborg, Bycirklen and Aarhus, the ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ performances will be held in Copenhagen, Horsens, Sønderborg, Ballerup and Aarhus during 21-27 January 2019. THE-INTL

BUILDING A BRIDGE FOR BUSINESS CHINESE EXPAT AND BUSINESS LEGAL CONSULTANT, JINGJING SU, SITS DOWN WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TO DISCUSS HOW THE CHINESE MARKET IS OPENING UP TO DANISH COMPANIES, AND HOW BUSINESS IS BOOMING FOR CHINESE COMPANIES IN DENMARK.

PHOTOGRAPH TANJA VINOGRADOVA (PHOTOVINOGRADOVA.COM)

TEXT DAVID NOTHLING-DEMMER

AARHUS UNIVERSITY GRADUATE and senior legal consultant at pioneers of Chinese businessmen, including family members, lost Bech-Bruun, Jingjing Su, assists Danish companies in setting up fortune due to the lack of knowledge of foreign law. It happened new businesses in China, growing their existing businesses, as well around me, and made me eager to understand what foreign law is,” as Chinese companies to do the same in Denmark. “I work at the Jingjing explains.

Bech-Bruun Chinese Desk, as a legal consultant, at present there He now has 11 years’ experience in assisting businesses in both are more than 100 Chinese-based companies in Denmark and I’m China and Denmark, and knows quite well the potential challenginvolved in around 80% of them, at the same time, es that these companies may face doing business around 500 Danish companies in China, and I’m in a ‘foreign’ land. “Due to the different legal sys“I HELP COMPANIES TO DO DUE involved in around 10% of them,” Jingjing extem, Danish businessmen are not aware of some DILIGENCE ON THEIR FOREIGN plains, adding that prior to 2010, there were onrisks in China and it is too late to realise when PARTNER, DRAFT CORPORATE ly six Chinese companies operating in Denmark. the problem really comes, I’m here to prevent DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS, this from happening. The same applies to ChiJingjing first came to Denmark in 2004 to study. He and his wife Jie Bai later graduating nese companies when I help them in Denmark.”

MAKE REGISTRATION AND from SDU in Odense, and now have chosen to Some of the main challenges that Jingjing says APPLICATION AT THE VARIOUS raise their 4-year-old son, Harry Su in Denmark, these companies face can be broken up into two AUTHORITIES IN CHINA OR citing the fantastic work life balance and the categories, firstly “hard challenges” including DENMARK.” - JINGJING SU peaceful nature of the country. the likes of Capital requirements, Foreign ExIn addition to his experience living and workchange Control, Increasing salaries (especialing in Denmark and his hands-on involvement with companies doly tier 1- or 2-cities), Varying quality and Employee retention, ing business in the two countries, Jingjing also teaches Chinese law and secondly, “soft challenges”, including; Language, Culture, at SDU, researching the cross cultural business practices in China Guanxi-friendship and network, Who to trust, and so on. “Makand Denmark. I have knowledge and experiences on both Chinese ing a budget and plan for the long term, finding the right leader, and Danish legal system, which I can use the way Danish people right partner and right team, and not giving up”, is how he helps can understand to explain Chinese law. The same applies to Chinese companies overcome these challenges and stay motivated to push companies when I help them in Denmark,” the legal consultant says. forward in their business endeavors.

A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE His passion for law, and interest in helping companies navigate the legalities of doing business in various regions stems from his upbringing in Nantong, a trading city which was one of the first Chinese port cities open to international trade back to 1980s. “Some

So why would Jingjing encourage Danish businesses to invest in China? The answer, simply, it’s a massive market. “My hometown, Nantong, most Danes haven’t ever heard about, but the city has seven million people, not to mention Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and so on, with 20+ million populations. This huge market is waiting for Danish design and products,” he says. THE-INTL

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A THINK TANK ON CHINA AND DENMARK in terms of global impact and significance. produce even better research on China.

Externally, ThinkChina.dk focuses heavily on outreach activities to make sure that the research on China reaches all relevant stakeholders. We collaborate with Danish companies, ministries, other universities, Danish regions and cities, as well as many other public and private agents in Denmark and China. The activities of ThinkChina.dk are many, and includes public lectures, producing policy briefs, analysis and op-eds for Danish newspaper as well as doing podcasts, video lectures, and much more.

As the research is already being produced by the excellent scholars within University of Copenhagen, we want this knowledge to be readily available to everyone who might be interested, and free of charge.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCKPHOTOS

TEXT CASPER WICHMANN

FOR MANY PEOPLE IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO FULLY COMPREHEND WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY CHINA IS TODAY IN MANY AREAS SUCH A POLITICS, CULTURE, LAW, AND MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS. FOR THAT REASON, THE UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN ESTABLISHED A THINK TANK INITIATIVE IN 2012 FOCUSING ON CHINA, TO BETTER FACILITATE AND COORDINATE ALL CHINA RELATED RESEARCH WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY AND CONNECT IT WITH ALL RELEVANT DANISH STAKEHOLDERS. WITH ITS REFORM and opening-up, China is making strides in development.

The country is investing heavily in research and higher education and is heading to become a leading force in many scientific fields as well as home to major R&D and innovation hubs.

At the same time, China’s influence is on the rise, both in terms of global impact and significance. Therefore, the need for excellent knowledge on China as a scientific, economic and political super power has thus never been greater, and a strong China focus, and China related collaboration is something that the University of Copenhagen is prioritising. In 2012, the university established a strategic focus on China through ThinkChina.dk, with

JANUARY 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

the aim to enhance the capacity of UCPH researchers and students, and to meet across disciplines and faculties to study, debate, and understand China better and to communicate our knowledge broadly to external public and private stakeholders.

As such, ThinkChina.dk works both internally and externally: Internally the think tank works with all researchers focusing on China across all the faculties at the university. In 2017, ThinkChina.dk could document a substantial increase in researchers who’s subjects in one way or another relate to China.

It is thus also important to strengthen the internal collaboration and coordination across disciplines and departments to help is on the rise, both

In the autumn of 2018, the think tank got its grant from the executive management at University of Copenhagen for an additional three years (2019-2021). For the next three years, we will further strengthen and enhance the internal network of China researchers, so that we can become the leading Nordic university on China and help all people in Denmark to be better equipped and prepared in dealing with China, while further helping to improve the relationship between China and Denmark and also prevent misconceptions and misunderstandings of China. We welcome everyone with an interest in China to get in touch or follow us through our website, newsletter, and social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. THE-INTL

Casper Wichmann is the coordinator for ThinkChina.dk. He holds an MA degree in China studies from University of Copenhagen and is specialised in Chinese digital platforms and tech, and has more than ten years’ experience with China.

He is often invited as guest in various Danish media commenting on several issues related to China.