Historical centre of Danish-Chinese relations

Since 1898, Asia House in the Southern Freeport of Copenhagen has been an important centre of business and cultural relations between Danmark and the Asian countries. The information meeting about the Danish EXPO 2010 Shanghai project last Wednesday is just one of many activities taking place in the former East Asiatic Company headquarters.

Built in 1898, Asia House maintains its original exterior, constructed in rustic red bricks on a sturdy base to match the style of the then newly built Indiakaj in the Southern Freeport of Copenhagen. The house was originally built as the headquarters of the East Asiatic Company Ltd. (EAC), which had been founded the previous year.

Asia House served as the head office of EAC until 1907. In subsequent years, the house was used for many different purposes such as shipping offices and booking for passenger ferries, laboratories and the administration of a pharmaceuticals company, international wool trade, customs, exhibition hall, etc.

When EAC celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1997, the building was restored and brought back to its original state. In 2006, the shareholders of EAC donated Asia House to the EAC Foundation to ensure that the house and its historic furnishings would be better preserved for posterity.

Networking atmosphere
Through their different activities, a number of regular users contribute to the dynamic and inspiring atmosphere of Asia House. One of them is Asia Business Forum, a unique forum for Danish business executives with interests in Asia. Asia Business Forum organises networking events and seminars and constitutes a venue for knowledge-sharing between international business executives and academic experts actively engaged in Asia.