The year 2025 begins with some good news from both China and Denmark: in 2024, China’s GDP grew by 5 percent, one of the highest among the world’s major economies; Denmark’s economy rose by 3.6 percent, standing out among European countries. That said, global growth is still weighed down by multiple factors, including heightened geopolitical tensions and the rise of unilateralism and protectionism. Some habitually resort to tariff hikes, even weaponizing tariffs for coercion. Such manipulation has cast a shadow over the economic growth of the world. In a disturbed world, China’s economy has steadily moved forward against all odds along the path of high-quality development, serving as an anchor of stability amid global uncertainties.
China’s economy has maintained steady growth, injecting stability into the world. In 2024, China achieved its growth target of 5 percent, with its GDP exceeding 130 trillion yuan for the first time. The economic increment equals a medium-sized country’s yearly GDP, making China a vital driving force for global growth.
On an average day, more than 80,000 vehicles are made, 3.4 million smartphones are produced, and over 470 million parcels embark on their journeys in China. These are just a few examples of the strong dynamism of the Chinese market. During this Chinese New Year, 9.02 billion passenger trips were made across China, which briefly became a “nation on the move.” The blockbuster Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2,” released on the first day of the Chinese New Year, has kept breaking box office records. With total earnings approaching 15 billion yuan, it is a testament to the immense potential of China’s consumer market.
In foreign trade, China attaches importance to both export and import. Its total trade in goods exceeded 43.8 trillion yuan in 2024, with imports up by 2.3 percent, hitting a record high and making China the world’s second-largest importer for 16 consecutive years. With robust industrial capabilities and upgraded infrastructure, China’s annual contribution to global growth has stayed at around 30 percent over the years. China continues to lead as the world’s largest manufacturer, trader in goods, and holder of foreign exchange reserves, as well as the world’s second-largest trader in services. China continues to be the main engine driving the global economy.
China’s economy is being reshaped by new productive forces, bringing new momentum to the world. China’s economy is getting greener and stronger powered by new drivers. It ranked 11th in the Global Innovation Index 2024, the only middle-income economy in the top 30 and one of the fastest 10-year climbers. China is rapidly upgrading its traditional industries and cultivating new growth drivers through technological innovation. Breakthroughs have been achieved on multiple fronts, including the Chang’e-6 historic mission of collecting samples from the moon’s far side, the DeepSeek AI model pushing the boundaries of cognitive intelligence, and Unitree’s humanoid robot realizing ultra-precise motion control at milliseconds.
Significant progress has also been made in China’s green transformation. Over ten million electric vehicles were produced last year. Seven out of ten photovoltaic modules globally are made in China. Its combined installed capacity of wind and solar power has exceeded 1.206 billion kilowatts, attaining the 2030 target six years ahead of schedule. The rapid development of green technology in China has helped cut clean energy costs globally, making clean, reliable, and affordable energy accessible to billions of people worldwide. China has shared green innovation and technologies with other developing countries, which helps bridge the North-South divide in addressing climate change and provides valuable experience and strong impetus for the global green transition.
China’s high-standard opening-up gives enduring impetus to its economy, creating even more opportunities for the world. In July 2024, the 20th CPC Central Committee made systematic plans at its third plenum for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, introducing over 300 significant reform measures. In December 2024, China’s Central Economic Work Conference emphasized the importance to “expand high-standard opening up and stabilize foreign trade and investment.” In February 2025, the State Council rolled out the Action Plan for Stabilizing Foreign Investment in 2025, with 20 specific measures outlined for promoting FDI. These measures fully demonstrate that opening up is the hallmark of Chinese modernization and that China’s door will only open even wider.
Regarding the recent US tariffs slapped on China under the pretext of fighting fentanyl, a crisis of America’s own making, China, as a sovereign nation, must defend its own rights and interests. Meanwhile, China’s countermeasures have been restrained, without affecting third parties or China’s determination to promote high-standard openness. Unlike those that readily play the tariff card, China has provided zero-tariff treatment to 100 tariff lines to all the 43 least developed countries that have diplomatic ties with China. It has lowered its overall tariffs to about 7.3 percent, which is close to the average tariffs of developed countries.
China has removed all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing. It will further shorten the negative list for foreign investment and steadily expand access in such sectors as telecommunications, healthcare, and education. The first wholly foreign-owned hospital recently opened in Tianjin. The Chinese government is committed to addressing the concerns of foreign companies and sincerely welcomes investment by more foreign firms, including Danish ones. The opportunities in the supersized Chinese market will definitely bring even greater development to foreign businesses.
As the ballast of the China-Denmark relationship, our cooperation in economy and trade continues to unleash its potential: in 2024, two-way trade exceeded $15.66 billion, up by 17.32 percent, making China the fourth-largest trading partner of Denmark. More than 500 Danish companies are investing in 1,300-plus projects in China. For seven years, Danish enterprises have participated in the China International Import Expo (CIIE). In addition to the Food and Agriculture Pavilion, the new Danish Health and Life Sciences Pavilion was also launched at the CIIE, with participation of 41 companies. Under the framework of the Green Joint Work Programme, new progress has been made in green transition, health, shipping, and other priority areas. Both China and Denmark are staunch supporters of free trade and economic globalization. We have extensive common interests in addressing global issues such as climate change and poverty reduction. All these commonalities will lay a solid foundation for deepening bilateral cooperation.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Denmark diplomatic relations. This is a new opportunity to elevate and upgrade this bilateral relationship. I am confident that by deepening practical cooperation, exchanges, and mutual learning, China and Denmark will bring greater stability and positive energy, which is badly needed in today’s changing and uncertain world.
