IN-DEPTH / IN-DEPTH
Xi’s reply letter to founder of Danish Chamber of Commerce in China inspires renewed commitment to deeper engagement with Chinese market
Crucial partnership
Editor's Note:
Chinese people believe that letters are as valuable as gold. For thousands of years, letters, across mountains and oceans, have been delivering the writers' sentiments and conveying friendship and expectations.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has managed to find time to reply to some letters from different sectors of the society and different parts of the world despite his busy work schedule.
Through his letters, Xi has corresponded with people from all walks of life on numerous occasions, part of a series of excellent stories of China in the new era.
Therefore, the Global Times traced and contacted some of the recipients of Xi's letters to hear the inspiring stories behind the letters and their communications with the Chinese president.
In this installment, a Danish entrepreneur and All China Founding Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, who recently received a reply letter from Xi, shares his decades-long journey of living and working in China, serving as a bridge between China and businesses not only from Denmark but also across Europe.
"China is a very important market for European businesses. We are confident in this market in the long-term and will continue our commitment to it, serving as a bridge between China and Denmark, and China and Europe," said Simon Lichtenberg, All China Founding Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, in an interview with the Global Times after receiving a reply letter from Xi.
As 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Denmark and China, Lichtenberg wrote two letters to President Xi in April - one on behalf of the chamber and another personal letter, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
"We have always wanted to express our appreciation for the opportunities China provides for our business development, and writing a letter to President Xi was our way of showing that gratitude," Lichtenberg said.
In the letter representing the chamber, Lichtenberg extended congratulations on the enduring friendship between China and Denmark, and reaffirmed the chamber's commitment to deepening its engagement with the Chinese market.
In his personal letter, Lichtenberg reflected on his experiences in China since 1987 and his long journey as a foreign entrepreneur. "For me and the chamber, it's always been about helping connect China with the rest of the world," he said.
In response to both of Lichtenberg's letters, Xi encouraged the chamber and its member enterprises to make new contributions to enhancing China-Denmark and China-Europe friendship, and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Chinese leader also expressed appreciation for the founder's deep affection for China and the confidence of Danish enterprises in China regarding the country's future development.
China has been and will remain an ideal, secure, and promising destination for foreign investors. Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future, Xi said in the letter.
"It was truly an incredibly joyful and emotional moment when I received the reply from President Xi," Lichtenberg said, recalling his surprise upon receiving the letter. "It's a major recognition and encouragement not only for Danish businesses, but also for all foreign-invested enterprises in China - and for all of us."
Lichtenberg said he felt deeply honored and acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with the recognition.
"President Xi's reply deeply moved me and was a great source of encouragement. Our chamber will continue to serve as a bridge - not only for China-Denmark relations, but also for broader China-Europe exchanges and cooperation," he added.
Strong bond
Lichtenberg has a strong personal and emotional connection with China.
Lichtenberg said that "I was deeply touched when President Xi expressed appreciation for my deep affection for China." In 1987, after graduating from high school, he came to China as an international student at Fudan University. In 1995, he founded the Trayton Group in Shanghai and has since been actively involved in promoting China-Denmark economic and investment cooperation. Today, his furniture company has grown from the ground up to achieve annual billion-yuan sales, exporting China-made, high-quality furniture to global markets.
In addition to business, he is also dedicated to public welfare, contributing to the development of rural education in China.
In recognition of his significant contributions to Shanghai's development and international exchanges, in 2006, he was awarded the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award, and in 2019, he received the Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award, becoming the third Danish citizen to receive this prestigious honor in China.
In recent years, he has been committed to guiding the Chamber in contributing to the high-quality development of China-Denmark economic relations and promoting a high level of openness.
As the founding president of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, Lichtenberg was deeply moved by Xi's reference to the chamber's "bridging role" in his reply letter.
"The chamber not only actively communicates the needs of its member companies to the Chinese government, but also offers suggestions to the Danish side, helping build a bridge of dialogue to enhance mutual understanding and trust," Lichtenberg said.
"President Xi's letter made me keenly aware of the responsibilities I carry," Li said. "I believe that mutual understanding and trust are the foundation of the friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between Denmark and China. The Danish Chamber of Commerce in China will continue its efforts to serve as a bridge and promote stronger cooperation between our two countries."
As a fluent Mandarin speaker who has been living in China for over three decades, he noted that many Europeans do not fully understand China, which is why it is important for both European leaders and citizens to visit the country, experience it firsthand, and see the openness of the Chinese government for themselves. This, he said, is a key step toward fostering stronger cooperation.
Widespread resonance
Xi's response was met with strong enthusiasm and positive reactions from Danish and other European businesses closely following economic and trade relations between China and the EU.
"President Xi's reply shows that China and Denmark are continuing to advance cooperation and exchanges through concrete actions," Xu Yang, President of Danfoss China and Head of Drives China Division, told the Global Times in a statement on Friday.
After entering the Chinese market nearly 30 years ago, Danfoss has witnessed firsthand the rapid growth of China's economy and takes great pride in having contributed to this remarkable progress, Xu said, stressing a firm commitment to investing in China and growing together.
As China advances high-quality development and fosters new quality productive forces, the country is generating enormous opportunities in green development, offering sustained growth potential for Danfoss' business, Xu said. In 2024, for example, Danfoss saw strong growth in several key sectors in China, including data centers, semiconductors, and energy storage. Among them, business related to data centers grew by 70 percent.
At the same time, China is rapidly emerging as an increasingly innovative nation, with continuous improvements in intellectual property protection, said Xu, noting that Danfoss is committed to shifting from "Made in China" to "Innovated in China" - a transition that will unlock even more opportunities for Danfoss and other Danish enterprises.
"As a Danish company that has been rooted in China for 30 years, we are greatly encouraged by President Xi's reply to the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China. We see China as fertile ground for our continued investment and long-term development," said Ulrik Gernow, Group Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Grundfos, in a statement shared with the Global Times.
As a Dane, Gernow's family shares a deep emotional bond with China. "About a century ago, my grandfather came to China for work and settled here. My father was born in Beijing and grew up in the old hutong and traditional courtyard houses of the city," he said, referring to the strong and close bond between his family and China.
In 2024, Grundfos officially launched its high-end manufacturing project in Changshu, East China's Jiangsu Province, with a total investment of $100 million. Gernow was appointed as an expert advisor to the China Institute of Energy Economics.
"Maersk has been serving China's foreign trade [sector] for a century, and China remains one of our most important markets," Jens Eskelund, North Asia Chief Representative, A.P. Moller-Maersk, told the Global Times.
The Danish logistics conglomerate is expanding its presence in China, with its Shanghai Lingang flagship logistics center, with an investment of more than 1 billion yuan, expected to start operations in November. "Maersk will continue to invest in China to serve our many customers and partners in China, enhancing our integrated logistics capabilities in China across ocean, air, and inland transportation," said Eskelund.
In aligning with China's pursuit of green development, Eskelund said, "Maersk believes that China has the potential to become a global green marine fuel production hub, and will continue exploring opportunities to collaborate with the Chinese government and relevant parties to develop sustainable logistics, enhance green supply chains, and invest in renewable energy projects."
This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark. Looking ahead, Grundfos said that he is willing to continue to serve as a bridge, actively promoting the exchange of experiences and cooperation between China and Denmark in the field of green transformation.
Injecting momentum
The letter not only highlights China-Denmark relations, but also broader China-EU ties. In his reply letter, Xi expressed his hope that the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China and its member enterprises will continue to play the role of a bridge between China and Denmark as well as China and Europe, and contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, as well as deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.
Since the beginning of this year, there have been frequent high-level exchanges between China and Europe. On May 23, a visiting senior official of the CPC, Chen Wenqing, met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary, as both sides vowed to deepen cooperation on national sovereignty, law enforcement, and the Belt and Road Initiative , Xinhua reported.
The two countries vowed to continue playing an exemplary role in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road as well as in the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, and enhance the steady and long-term development of China-Europe relations, the report said.
On May 19, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lars L?kke Rasmussen, paid an official visit to China. During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, Wang called for deepened political trust and the promotion of ties as the two countries commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, according to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Speaking at the meeting with Wang, Rasmussen said that Denmark firmly upholds free trade and opposes decoupling, and looks forward to working with China to jointly safeguard the multilateral system and international order, and to maintain the momentum of globalization.
Ongoing intensive dialogues, exchanges, and cooperation between China and the EU suggest that, in today's shifting global environment, the EU increasingly recognizes China's significant role in supporting international stability and multilateral cooperation, Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times.
China and Europe are deeply and closely connected economically. Cui said that this connection goes beyond trade and investment, reflecting a shared commitment to fair and open markets based on World Trade Organization rules.
While today's global landscape has brought many challenges with geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts, Lichtenberg sees China as an economy that represents stability, growth, and a promising future. He said he remains confident in China's economic prospects, is committed to deepening his presence in the market, and is willing to serve as a bridge between China, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Lichtenberg described himself as a "son-in-law of Shanghai," noting that his wife is from the city. All three of their children were born and raised in China. "I hope they, too, will grow up to work and build their future here," he said.
Chinese people believe that letters are as valuable as gold. For thousands of years, letters, across mountains and oceans, have been delivering the writers' sentiments and conveying friendship and expectations.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has managed to find time to reply to some letters from different sectors of the society and different parts of the world despite his busy work schedule.
Through his letters, Xi has corresponded with people from all walks of life on numerous occasions, part of a series of excellent stories of China in the new era.
Therefore, the Global Times traced and contacted some of the recipients of Xi's letters to hear the inspiring stories behind the letters and their communications with the Chinese president.
In this installment, a Danish entrepreneur and All China Founding Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, who recently received a reply letter from Xi, shares his decades-long journey of living and working in China, serving as a bridge between China and businesses not only from Denmark but also across Europe.
Simon Lichtenberg presents a reply letter from President Xi. Photo: Courtesy of Lichtenberg
"China is a very important market for European businesses. We are confident in this market in the long-term and will continue our commitment to it, serving as a bridge between China and Denmark, and China and Europe," said Simon Lichtenberg, All China Founding Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, in an interview with the Global Times after receiving a reply letter from Xi.
As 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Denmark and China, Lichtenberg wrote two letters to President Xi in April - one on behalf of the chamber and another personal letter, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
"We have always wanted to express our appreciation for the opportunities China provides for our business development, and writing a letter to President Xi was our way of showing that gratitude," Lichtenberg said.
In the letter representing the chamber, Lichtenberg extended congratulations on the enduring friendship between China and Denmark, and reaffirmed the chamber's commitment to deepening its engagement with the Chinese market.
In his personal letter, Lichtenberg reflected on his experiences in China since 1987 and his long journey as a foreign entrepreneur. "For me and the chamber, it's always been about helping connect China with the rest of the world," he said.
In response to both of Lichtenberg's letters, Xi encouraged the chamber and its member enterprises to make new contributions to enhancing China-Denmark and China-Europe friendship, and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Chinese leader also expressed appreciation for the founder's deep affection for China and the confidence of Danish enterprises in China regarding the country's future development.
China has been and will remain an ideal, secure, and promising destination for foreign investors. Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future, Xi said in the letter.
"It was truly an incredibly joyful and emotional moment when I received the reply from President Xi," Lichtenberg said, recalling his surprise upon receiving the letter. "It's a major recognition and encouragement not only for Danish businesses, but also for all foreign-invested enterprises in China - and for all of us."
Lichtenberg said he felt deeply honored and acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with the recognition.
"President Xi's reply deeply moved me and was a great source of encouragement. Our chamber will continue to serve as a bridge - not only for China-Denmark relations, but also for broader China-Europe exchanges and cooperation," he added.
Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (Central) visits the Danfoss factory in Tianjin, China, on May 18, 2025. Photo: VCG
Strong bond
Lichtenberg has a strong personal and emotional connection with China.
Lichtenberg said that "I was deeply touched when President Xi expressed appreciation for my deep affection for China." In 1987, after graduating from high school, he came to China as an international student at Fudan University. In 1995, he founded the Trayton Group in Shanghai and has since been actively involved in promoting China-Denmark economic and investment cooperation. Today, his furniture company has grown from the ground up to achieve annual billion-yuan sales, exporting China-made, high-quality furniture to global markets.
In addition to business, he is also dedicated to public welfare, contributing to the development of rural education in China.
In recognition of his significant contributions to Shanghai's development and international exchanges, in 2006, he was awarded the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award, and in 2019, he received the Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award, becoming the third Danish citizen to receive this prestigious honor in China.
In recent years, he has been committed to guiding the Chamber in contributing to the high-quality development of China-Denmark economic relations and promoting a high level of openness.
As the founding president of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, Lichtenberg was deeply moved by Xi's reference to the chamber's "bridging role" in his reply letter.
"The chamber not only actively communicates the needs of its member companies to the Chinese government, but also offers suggestions to the Danish side, helping build a bridge of dialogue to enhance mutual understanding and trust," Lichtenberg said.
"President Xi's letter made me keenly aware of the responsibilities I carry," Li said. "I believe that mutual understanding and trust are the foundation of the friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between Denmark and China. The Danish Chamber of Commerce in China will continue its efforts to serve as a bridge and promote stronger cooperation between our two countries."
As a fluent Mandarin speaker who has been living in China for over three decades, he noted that many Europeans do not fully understand China, which is why it is important for both European leaders and citizens to visit the country, experience it firsthand, and see the openness of the Chinese government for themselves. This, he said, is a key step toward fostering stronger cooperation.
Widespread resonance
Xi's response was met with strong enthusiasm and positive reactions from Danish and other European businesses closely following economic and trade relations between China and the EU.
"President Xi's reply shows that China and Denmark are continuing to advance cooperation and exchanges through concrete actions," Xu Yang, President of Danfoss China and Head of Drives China Division, told the Global Times in a statement on Friday.
After entering the Chinese market nearly 30 years ago, Danfoss has witnessed firsthand the rapid growth of China's economy and takes great pride in having contributed to this remarkable progress, Xu said, stressing a firm commitment to investing in China and growing together.
As China advances high-quality development and fosters new quality productive forces, the country is generating enormous opportunities in green development, offering sustained growth potential for Danfoss' business, Xu said. In 2024, for example, Danfoss saw strong growth in several key sectors in China, including data centers, semiconductors, and energy storage. Among them, business related to data centers grew by 70 percent.
At the same time, China is rapidly emerging as an increasingly innovative nation, with continuous improvements in intellectual property protection, said Xu, noting that Danfoss is committed to shifting from "Made in China" to "Innovated in China" - a transition that will unlock even more opportunities for Danfoss and other Danish enterprises.
"As a Danish company that has been rooted in China for 30 years, we are greatly encouraged by President Xi's reply to the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China. We see China as fertile ground for our continued investment and long-term development," said Ulrik Gernow, Group Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Grundfos, in a statement shared with the Global Times.
As a Dane, Gernow's family shares a deep emotional bond with China. "About a century ago, my grandfather came to China for work and settled here. My father was born in Beijing and grew up in the old hutong and traditional courtyard houses of the city," he said, referring to the strong and close bond between his family and China.
In 2024, Grundfos officially launched its high-end manufacturing project in Changshu, East China's Jiangsu Province, with a total investment of $100 million. Gernow was appointed as an expert advisor to the China Institute of Energy Economics.
"Maersk has been serving China's foreign trade [sector] for a century, and China remains one of our most important markets," Jens Eskelund, North Asia Chief Representative, A.P. Moller-Maersk, told the Global Times.
The Danish logistics conglomerate is expanding its presence in China, with its Shanghai Lingang flagship logistics center, with an investment of more than 1 billion yuan, expected to start operations in November. "Maersk will continue to invest in China to serve our many customers and partners in China, enhancing our integrated logistics capabilities in China across ocean, air, and inland transportation," said Eskelund.
In aligning with China's pursuit of green development, Eskelund said, "Maersk believes that China has the potential to become a global green marine fuel production hub, and will continue exploring opportunities to collaborate with the Chinese government and relevant parties to develop sustainable logistics, enhance green supply chains, and invest in renewable energy projects."
This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark. Looking ahead, Grundfos said that he is willing to continue to serve as a bridge, actively promoting the exchange of experiences and cooperation between China and Denmark in the field of green transformation.
Injecting momentum
The letter not only highlights China-Denmark relations, but also broader China-EU ties. In his reply letter, Xi expressed his hope that the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China and its member enterprises will continue to play the role of a bridge between China and Denmark as well as China and Europe, and contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, as well as deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.
Since the beginning of this year, there have been frequent high-level exchanges between China and Europe. On May 23, a visiting senior official of the CPC, Chen Wenqing, met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary, as both sides vowed to deepen cooperation on national sovereignty, law enforcement, and the Belt and Road Initiative , Xinhua reported.
The two countries vowed to continue playing an exemplary role in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road as well as in the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, and enhance the steady and long-term development of China-Europe relations, the report said.
On May 19, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lars L?kke Rasmussen, paid an official visit to China. During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, Wang called for deepened political trust and the promotion of ties as the two countries commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, according to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Speaking at the meeting with Wang, Rasmussen said that Denmark firmly upholds free trade and opposes decoupling, and looks forward to working with China to jointly safeguard the multilateral system and international order, and to maintain the momentum of globalization.
Ongoing intensive dialogues, exchanges, and cooperation between China and the EU suggest that, in today's shifting global environment, the EU increasingly recognizes China's significant role in supporting international stability and multilateral cooperation, Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times.
China and Europe are deeply and closely connected economically. Cui said that this connection goes beyond trade and investment, reflecting a shared commitment to fair and open markets based on World Trade Organization rules.
While today's global landscape has brought many challenges with geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts, Lichtenberg sees China as an economy that represents stability, growth, and a promising future. He said he remains confident in China's economic prospects, is committed to deepening his presence in the market, and is willing to serve as a bridge between China, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Lichtenberg described himself as a "son-in-law of Shanghai," noting that his wife is from the city. All three of their children were born and raised in China. "I hope they, too, will grow up to work and build their future here," he said.
