China-Denmark relations strong, long-lasting, with wide engagement across various sectors: diplomat

As Denmark and China mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, a Danish diplomat highlighted the depth and longevity of the bilateral relationship and called for deeper engagement to ensure continued cooperation.

In an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Denmark and China, Mikael Hemniti Winther, consul-general of the Royal Danish Consulate in Shanghai, highlighted the long and strong relationship between Denmark and China and emphasized the importance of celebrating their 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Talking about bilateral cooperation, he especially mentioned that the China International Import Expo (CIIE) serves as a valuable platform for Danish businesses expand into the Chinese market and for both sides to enhance trade cooperation.

"I mean, first of all, you mentioned our anniversaries. I think it's important to mark it, to remember it, and to tell both Danish people and Chinese people about this anniversary. It's a very strong relationship we have developed. It's long-lasting. We actually started our history 350 years ago, with the first Danish merchant ship arriving in China. And now, we are celebrating the 75 years of friendship, and I think that is simple on how deeply engaged our two countries are. I think for the CIIE, we have it coming again here in 2025, and it's usually a very good platform for Danish businesses to showcase their products," said Winther.

Over the past decades, Denmark and China have had extensive exchanges in various sectors, including culture, art and sports, he said, adding that these activities are seen as key to ensure the continued growth of friendship between the two countries in the future.

"During those 75 years and in the last 20 years, we have had a lot of exchanges. This has been artists coming to China from Denmark, Chinese artists going to Denmark. We have had movie shows and screenings. We have a lot of musical exchanges. And we are continuing to have it. We also have a lot of sports relations, and especially sports, I think it's very important to engage the youth. I think both our young people from both countries are very interested in both competitive sports, but also leisure sports. And I think we have a lot to offer, and I think we should engage the youth more. You have more exchanges between universities and schools, because this is where our minds are shaped when we are young. And I think when we can have this friendship between our young people, we can continue the next 75 years to have warm and friendly relations between our two countries," he said.

China-Denmark relations strong, long-lasting, with wide engagement across various sectors: diplomat

The Japanese society should do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression and adhere to the pacifist constitution, said Shiradori Hiroshi, a professor of the Hosei University, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Tokyo on April 30.

He said the government's recent move to discuss revising the three security documents deserve particular attention as the country's foreign and security policies have already witnessed major changes.

"People outside of the country hold that Japan's post-war image as a 'peace state' is now facing a major shift. Against the backdrop of tremendous changes in its foreign and security policies, the revision of the three security documents deserves particular attention. There lacks public debate in terms of the procedure, with policy changes decided unilaterally at Cabinet meetings. It is necessary to fully explain to the public as to whether such a practice is proper," said Hiroshi.

The Japanese government held its first expert panel meeting to discuss revisions to the three security documents at the Prime Minister's Office on April 27, local media reported.

Japan's current National Security Strategy and two related documents, formulated in 2022, were designed to cover the next 10 years, but the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to move up the timetable to accelerate the revision process.

Increasing defense spending is one of the key topics of the meeting, according to Kyodo News.

Hiroshi said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or Tokyo Trials, and the Japanese society must do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression in WWII, when it brought enormous catastrophes on Asian countries.

"Eighty years have passed since the opening of the Tokyo Trials. Japan inflicted enormous suffering on Asian countries during WWII, which should serve as an opportunity for the soul-searching. It is exact on the basis of countless sacrifices that Japan's post-war pacifism and its identity as a 'peace state' took shape. On this 80th anniversary, it is necessary for Japan to re-examine and do soul-searching regarding its history," said Hiroshi.

The Japanese government's effort to revise the pacifist constitution is widely opposed by the public.

On Sunday, around 50,000 people gathered at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, chanting slogans and holding banners against the government's push for constitutional revision and military expansion, the largest turnout of its kind in recent years.

Japan should adhere to pacifist constitution: scholar