BEIJING, Jan 27 (Asia Free Press): Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in a virtual conversation with Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte said, China stands ready to work with the Netherlands to enhance political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation, strengthen bonds between the people, and push for new progress in their relations, local media reported.
During the conversation, Li said China attaches great importance to developing relations with the Netherlands, adding that Netherlands is an important cooperative partner of China in Europe, Xinhua reported.
China is ready to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to work with the Netherlands to bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples, Li said.
China supports the establishment of a China-Netherlands business council as a new platform for business exchanges and cooperation between enterprises of the two countries, Li said while also pointing out that both China and the Netherlands are committed to multilateralism and free trade.
Li also said, China is willing to deepen cooperation with the Netherlands in the fields of climate change, science and technology, modern agriculture and other areas. “We welcome more high-quality Dutch agricultural products to enter the Chinese market,” he added.
Li expressed hope that the Netherlands, as an important member of the EU, will play a constructive role in promoting China-EU relations and cooperation.
For his part, Rutte said that the Netherlands and China have carried out constructive cooperation in various fields and there has been sound momentum in the development of bilateral ties.
The Dutch side hopes to deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas including culture, economy, trade, agriculture and the circular economy, said Rutte, also adding that the country believes that China will host a successful Winter Olympic Games 2022.
The EU and China need to step up dialogue and cooperation, properly handle differences and jointly respond to global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, Rutte said.
At the end of the virtual conversation, the two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern and stressed to find ways for better solutions of the regarding regional and internationals escalations and conflicts.
