Beijing, China – In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday in Beijing. The leaders committed to enhancing the “open and pragmatic partnership” between their countries, emphasizing the importance of free trade and mutual cooperation in various fields.
Premier Li highlighted the accelerated development of China-Netherlands relations since the establishment of their comprehensive cooperative partnership in 2014. “Our collaboration has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples,” Li stated. “China is willing to work with the Netherlands to carry forward the spirit of open and pragmatic cooperation, promoting steady bilateral relations and achieving win-win outcomes.”
The discussions underscored both nations’ commitment to free trade and the need to expand economic ties. “We should continue to open wider to each other and strengthen practical cooperation,” Li said. “This will consolidate our bilateral relations, serve the fundamental interests of our peoples, and inject more stability and certainty into the world.”
Premier Li proposed expanding cooperation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, green transformation, and the silver economy. He emphasized innovation in offshore wind power, photovoltaic generation, and hydrogen energy as areas with significant potential. “By tapping into these sectors, we can provide stronger impetus for the development of both countries,” he noted.
China is committed to fostering a market-oriented, law-based, and world-class business environment. Premier Li welcomed more Dutch companies to invest in China and encouraged Chinese enterprises to explore opportunities in the Netherlands. He expressed hope that the Dutch side would facilitate easier travel for Chinese visitors, strengthening people-to-people exchanges.
On China-Europe relations, Premier Li affirmed that cooperation remains the mainstream and partnership is the correct positioning for both sides. “China welcomes Europe to share the opportunities of our vast market,” he said. “We hope Europe will prudently consider restrictive economic and trade policies. China is ready to work with the Netherlands to promote sustained, sound, and steady China-Europe relations.”
Prime Minister Rutte acknowledged the achievements of the bilateral partnership over the years. “The Netherlands cherishes its friendship with China and adheres to the one-China principle,” Rutte stated. “We are willing to strengthen mutual learning, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Together, we can tackle climate change and other global challenges.”
The meeting between Premier Li and Prime Minister Rutte signifies a mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation and addressing global issues collaboratively. Their dialogue sets the stage for increased collaboration in innovation, sustainability, and economic development, benefiting not only their respective nations but also contributing to global stability and prosperity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
