Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (C, front) and Danish Minister of Gender Equality and Minister for Nordic Cooperation Karen Ellemann (5th L, front) pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the China Denmark Regions and Cities Forum held by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Danish embassy in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from China and Denmark Monday called for stronger ties between regions and cities in the two countries in a bid to promote common growth and development.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the China Denmark Regions and Cities Forum, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said that it is the right time for both sides to enhance exchanges and cooperation at local levels.

China has entered a new stage of development and the central authorities have proposed five development concepts: innovation, coordination, green development, opening up and sharing, said Yang.

Yang called on China and Denmark to strengthen integration on development strategies, and to explore new areas of pragmatic cooperation to better serve the development and benefit of the the two peoples.

Danish Minister of Gender Equality and Minister for Nordic Cooperation Karen Ellemann said that Denmark hopes the forum will become a platform for both countries to deepen cooperation and share knowledge, technologies and solutions to promote the development of regions and cities.

The forum was held by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Danish embassy in Beijing.