On January 22, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said that since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Denmark 70 years ago, the bilateral ties have maintained a good momentum of development, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. Noting that Mr. Jeppe Kofod has once compared the China-Denmark relationship to "a big, fruitful tree with strong root", Wang Yi said that the metaphor was very vivid and adequate. He believes the root for that tree is mutual respect, particularly a respect for each other's core interests, as well as equal treatment and mutually beneficial cooperation through dialogue. Both sides should earnestly summarize these important experiences and lessons and inherit them in the next 70 years of China-Denmark relations.

Wang Yi said, "No two leaves are alike", adding that the social systems of China and Denmark are different, and it is a choice made by their two peoples and is in line with each other's specific national conditions. The correct way to get along with one another is to learn from each other's beneficial experiences and practices. Both sides should adhere to their cooperative partnership, the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences, the direction of mutual benefit and win-win results, and the concept of green and openness.

Wang Yi said that China welcomes the expansion of two-way trade and investment and is willing to continuously cooperate with the international community, including Denmark, to jointly ensure the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and push for positive outcomes of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. He hopes that Denmark, an important member of the European Union (EU), will continuously push the EU to pursue a positive and constructive policy toward China.

Jeppe Kofod said that Denmark, as one of the first European countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, highly values its relations with China and is willing to continue to effectively manage differences with China and carry out dialogue and cooperation based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Denmark highly appreciates the announcement made by President Xi Jinping that China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060 and believes that this will vigorously advance international cooperation against climate change. Denmark is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as climate change, energy and environmental protection, and will actively participate in the COP 15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in Kunming, China. The completion of the EU-China investment agreement negotiation has sent a positive political signal. Denmark is willing to push the cooperation between the EU and China in such fields as investment, trade and climate change.