Danish media reported that the Chinese ambassador’s disrespectful behavior toward Taiwan’s representatives, along with his criticism of Danish media, could negatively affect relations between Denmark and China.

National daily newspaper Berlingske reported on September 14 that Chinese Ambassador to Denmark Wang Xue-feng (王雪峰), while attending a reception for Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s birthday on February 26 at the Japanese Embassy in Denmark, expressed his dissatisfaction at the presence of Taiwan’s representatives in a highly disrespectful manner. Members of the diplomatic community and Danish officials witnessed the incident.

Taipei Representative Office in Denmark head Robin Cheng (鄭榮俊) told reporters the celebration took place at the Japanese ambassador’s residence. After Wang and his secretary noticed Taiwan’s representatives, they protested to the staff, demanding their expulsion to no avail. Wang then confronted the Japanese ambassador directly before leaving the venue, pointing his finger at Cheng in a threatening manner.

Berlingske noted that since taking office in 2024, Wang has projected an aggressive stance to signal his position to Denmark or possibly to show Beijing’s leadership that he is making his mark. Beyond pressuring Taiwan, he has also criticized Danish media, including Berlingske itself and the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS).

University of Copenhagen China expert Andreas B. Forsby said such behavior could heighten the risk of conflict. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, already tough on China due to the Russia-Ukraine war, could become a target of “wolf warrior” diplomacy — a coercive form of diplomacy characterized by a combative, nationalistic stance that some Chinese diplomats have adopted in recent decades.

The report also cited similar incidents in the Philippines, the Czech Republic, and Fiji in 2011, 2019, and 2020, respectively.