Xi greets Danish king on enthronement

President Xi Jinping has extended a congratulatory message to the new Danish King Frederik X on his accession to the throne, highlighting his readiness to work with the new monarch to continue elevating the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

In the message sent on Sunday, Xi highlighted the robust development of the bilateral relationship since the establishment of diplomatic ties 74 years ago, with cooperation securing bountiful results and people-to-people friendship increasingly deepening.

He stressed that he attaches strong emphasis to ties with Denmark, and is willing to work with the new Danish king in strengthening the relations and delivering more benefits to the peoples of the two nations.

The president also sent regards and blessings to former Danish queen Margrethe II.

The 83-year-old queen stunned the nation by announcing her abdication in her New Year's Eve address, making her the second Danish monarch to voluntarily step down in history. The last time was Erik III in 1146, almost 900 years ago.

On Sunday afternoon, the queen signed the abdication document during a meeting with the Danish cabinet at the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, after a procession in a horse-drawn carriage through the streets from her residence at Amalienborg Palace.

After signing the document, she rose and gestured to her 55-year-old son Frederik to take her place, saying "God save the king" before she left the room, ending her 52-year reign.

He was then proclaimed King Frederik X by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the balcony of the vast palace. He became the crown prince at the age of 3.

About 100,000 people from all parts of Denmark gathered on the square in front of the palace, waving red and white Danish national flags and some holding signs and photos to thank the retiring queen. Many others watched the live broadcast on TV.

The music band of the Danish royal guards made their daily parade through downtown Copenhagen on Sunday but instead of wearing the usual black jackets, they wore red to celebrate the historic occasion.

The abdication has left Denmark, a country of some 6 million, with two queens. Margrethe keeps her title, while King Frederik's Australian-born wife Mary has become Queen Mary. Frederik and Mary's eldest son, 18-year-old Christian, has become crown prince and heir to the throne.

On Sunday evening, the Tivoli Gardens amusement park in Copenhagen staged the biggest fireworks show in its 180-year history to celebrate the new king and queen.

A survey commissioned by Danish broadcaster DR indicated that 79 percent of Danes supported the royal handover.

Surprising address

Margrethe's announcement in her New Year's Eve address took Danes by surprise because she had repeatedly said she would follow tradition and reign until her death. In her announcement, she cited health issues as the reason for her departure, having undergone major back surgery last year.

She abdicated on the same day she ascended the throne following the death of her father, Frederik IX, in 1972.

In Denmark, the royal family's duties are largely ceremonial.

In a news conference on Jan 8, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning praised Margrethe as "an old friend of the Chinese people" and "the first Western head of state to visit China after reform and opening-up" in 1978.

As queen, Margrethe II visited China twice in 1979 and 2014.

During the 2014 visit at the invitation of President Xi, she held talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two also witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative documents between the two countries.

During the trip, Margrethe also visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims of Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, to pay respects to thousands of Chinese victims.