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Denmark has asked New Zealand to use its new-found influence with China to kickstart negotiations at a major United Nations climate conference.
Next year the Danish capital will host a crucial meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - the last Government-level meeting before the Kyoto climate change agreement needs to be renewed.
China is one of the world's most polluting countries, despite having promised to give climate change an important role in formulating its energy policies.
Denmark is keen to achieve a breakthrough at the Copenhagen conference, scheduled to run from November 30 to December 11 next year. A senior official visiting New Zealand yesterday said he hoped New Zealand could play a role in getting China on board with a replacement for the expiring protocol.
The Danes hoped New Zealand's recently completed free trade agreement with China gave this country the access to be able to ask the Asian superpower to commit to an international climate change deal, Ulrik Federspiel, Denmark's Permanent Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said.
"From Copenhagen we hope to have a new Kyoto protocol ... it's a very ambitious goal but we believe that it can be done."
Denmark has reopened its consulate in Australia, a posting which will also cover New Zealand. Mr Federspiel said the two countries had much in common, including a similar view on Afghanistan - where both countries have deployed troops.
Mr Federspiel also met Defence and Trade Minister Phil Goff during his visit to Wellington.
