Do you have any suggestions for Chinese companies looking to invest in Denmark?

I think that the political openness in Denmark toward Chinese investment is indeed positive. We believe in free trade and we welcome Chinese investment.

Danish industrial companies and agricultural companies are more energy-efficient, energy-saving and sustainable. Much of the philosophy that we presented in our sectors now matches what China is about to enter.

China has started its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) that focuses on changing the growth model from export- and investment- driven to consumption-driven. At the same time, Chinese leaders want to make their economy more qualitative rather than quantitative. This is attractive to us, because the content of this new growth will be more in accord with what we do or what we can deliver.

Fighting against corruption is a problem that all governments face worldwide. Denmark ranked first alongside New Zealand in the Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International in December 2013. What do you think has allowed Denmark's civil servants to earn such a reputation?

We are very proud of being the least corrupt country in the world. It is a traditional, cultural and political feature that we don't have corruption. We do our job because we are proud to be professional civil servants. The whole culture, identity, social philosophy and our sense of justice really support this attitude. The rule of law, transparency and accountability in society are so big that everyone expects to get their rights.

We are happy that we are able to work increasingly with related organizations here in China to try to exchange ideas so that ordinary people feel their complaints are really taken into serious account.

You served as Danish ambassador to the United States before coming to China in 2010. How do you view the differences between these two powers in their cooperation with Denmark?

We have a lot of cooperation with China on energy, the environment and the issue of sustainability, thanks to the advanced technology, expertise and insight we have. We did not have that in the United States, because the U.S. Congress is divided on the issue of sustainability as half opposes the sustainable economic drive including high taxes on fuel, reducing energy consumption and giving a lot of government subsidies or support to renewable energy in long-term planning. I think China is more strategically minded than the United States, and that allows us to cultivate more energy and environmental cooperation with China.

For small countries like Denmark, we have to believe that it is important for us to try to integrate both the United States and China in the international community with UN rules as a core to back up cooperation. And the more we can make big powers like China and the United States act internationally responsible, the more predictable domestic law-based society we have.

How do you understand the term Chinese dream and what are its implications for Denmark?

I think the Chinese dream is a very interesting and positive new concept defined by President Xi Jinping, and I think he has done a remarkable job, particularly in Chinese dream. For us Westerners, it is common to have politicians' particular visions and objectives. It is good that China has expressed the vision for future. Everyone needs that and then relates to that individually.

The Chinese dream, in my opinion, is both particularized and, as "beautiful China," with a lot of environmental and energy components and social values in it.

The welfare system in North Europe has been outstanding with high social welfare for everyone, and especially for those who cannot work for themselves. I think the Chinese dream comprises some of these components and its objective for a more socially sustainable society is very much along the line of our thinking in our society. We think that type of society is a harmonious one. We see great opportunities of what China can achieve in the future. We would like to have political cooperation with the Chinese Government and could discuss possible development in the future.

Email us at: yanwei@bjreview.com