Dear Chinese friends/Zhong Guo Peng You Men, Ni Men Hao

中国朋友们，你们好。

First of all, let me take this opportunity to wish you all the very best in the year to come. But before talking more about 2009, allow me to briefly¹ touch on 2008. Because last year was indeed remarkable².

首先，让我借此机会在新年来临之际恭祝你们新年快乐。在进入2009年之前，请先让我简单回顾一下2008年，因为这一年有许多大事值得关注。

In 2008 China successfully hosted the Olympic Games in Beijing. This was a truly global and magnificent event witnessed by, among others, the Danish Crown Prince. Personally, I very much enjoyed the spectacular events and friendly contests among the world’s best athletes.

2008年中国成功地在北京举办了奥运会。丹麦王储和各国贵宾一同见证了这一全球盛会。我也很高兴地观看了各国顶级选手们的出色及友好的竞技。

2008 also marked the 100 years anniversary of Danish diplomatic presence in China. In this sense, the coming year is the beginning of a brand new century in Sino-Danish relations. This is a milestone³ paving the way for even more fruitful cooperation between our two countries.

2008年也标志着丹麦外交使节来到中国100年。因此，可以说2009年意味着中丹关系进入了新的世纪，这是我们两国开展更多有成效的合作的一个里程碑。

The ties between China and Denmark have never been stronger. During the Danish Prime Minister’s visit to China in October, he and Premier⁴ Wen agreed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership⁵. I warmly welcome this opportunity for increased cooperation across a wide range of subjects, including climate change, renewable energy, science and education!

中国和丹麦之间的关系从没有象今天这样紧密过。2008年10月丹麦首相拉斯穆森访问中国期间和温家宝总理一致同意两国建立全面合作伙伴关系，这为两国在气候变化，新能源，科学和教育等领域的合作奠定了良好基础。

Looking ahead, two issues will be high on the international agenda in 2009: The state of the global economy and climate Change. The two issues must be solved together. And China and Denmark will have key roles to play in both.

展望未来，有两个问题将是国际事务中的当务之急：全球经济和气候变化。这两个问题应该联系起来解决，我认为中国和丹麦将在解决这两个问题上发挥重要作用。

Here and now, the financial crisis is our key concern. We all need to act to counter the downturn and fight against unemployment. We also need to take a number of steps together globally to ensure confidence in the international financial system. But first and foremost we must avoid protectionism. We cannot export our problems. We must solve them together.

目前，金融危机是我们最关注的，我们应该合作起来应对经济不景气和失业。我们还应该一起共同行动重新恢复大家对国际金融系统的信心。但是最重要的一点是要避免贸易领域的保护主义。我们不能输出问题，而是需要一起解决问题。

The second key issue for 2009 is the fight against climate change. In the long run, climate change is an even greater risk than the current financial crisis, and we need to address it now. In December Denmark will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference in our capital, Copenhagen. The goal is to reach a new global agreement. I look forward to continued strong cooperation between our two countries to reach this goal.

2009年的第二件大事就是应对气候变化。长远地看，气候变化比当前金融危机的危害更大。我们现在就应该引起重视。今年12月丹麦将在首都哥本哈根主办联合国气候变化大会。目标是达成一项目全球协议。我期待着我们两国为达成这一目标继续更紧密的合作。

Tackling the financial crisis and fighting against climate change go hand in hand. I agree with the Chinese government that solutions to the problem of climate change are also solutions to the financial crisis. We must invest in green technology and better energy efficiency to tackle both problems. The Danish experience proves this point. After the oil crisis in 1970s, our investments in green technology at one and same time brought better environment, more energy efficiency, green exports and economic growth. Tackling climate change is not part of the problem. It is part of the solution. Denmark and China should work even more closely together to tackle these problems.

应对金融危机和应对气候变化是相互关联的。我同意中国政府的态度，即解决气候变化问题的方法也就是解决金融危机的方法。我们应该在绿色技术和高效能源领域投入更多来解决这两个问题。丹麦的经验证明了这一点。在20世纪70年代的石油危机之后，我们在绿色技术领域的投资马上带来了更好的自然环境，更有效的能源利用，绿色技术的出口以及经济增长。应对环境变化不是问题的一部份，而是解决方案的一部分。丹麦和中国应该更紧密地合作来解决这些问题。

In 2009 we celebrate the 60 year anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. On this occasion, I would like to congratulate China on behalf of the Danish government and the Danish people.

2009年我们将庆祝中华人民共和国建国60周年。我希望借此机会代表丹麦政府和人民对此表示祝贺。

2009 is the Year of the Ox in the Chinese lunar calendar. I am confident that the ox’s qualities of patience, tireless work and ability to endure hardship will help us overcome any challenges and give rise to new opportunities in terms of sustainable development and economic prosperity!

在中国农历里2009年是牛年。我相信牛有耐力，勤劳工作和忍受困难的品质将帮助我们克服所有困难并带来持续发展和经济繁荣!

Zhu 2009 nian zhong guo niu, qi ye niu, jia ting niu, niu qi chong tian!

(English translation: All the best wishes to China, Chinese companies and families!)

祝2009年中国牛，企业牛，家庭牛，牛气冲天!

Xin nian kuai le! Godt nytår!

(English translation: Happy new year!)

新年快乐！