China welcomed Dutch participation in the bid for urban infrastructure and other projects related to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu told Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander here on Tuesday.

Hui, who was on a three-day visit to the Netherlands, met Willem-Alexander, a member of the International Olympic Committee, at his residence Villa Eikenhorst in Wassenaar.

Hui briefed the crown prince on China's preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games, and thanked him for his support for China's bid for the games.

Hui said Sino-Dutch relations had improved remarkably in the last 35 years and thanked the royal family for it's support for closer relations with China and for their role in encouraging better cooperation between the two countries.

Hui congratulated Willem-Alexander on his appointment as chairman of the United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation.

He said China was keen to cooperate closely with the Netherlands to make a success the board's eighth meeting, which is to be chaired by the crown prince in Shanghai in May.

Willem-Alexander said the Netherlands attached great importance to developing relations with China and was keen to strengthen cooperation with China.

He said he was sure that the Beijing Olympic Games would be a success and he looked forward to witnessing the event in Beijing next year.

Also on Tuesday, Hui met Dutch Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management Camiel Eurlings.

Eurlings and Hui said they were satisfied with the results that had come from cooperation between the two countries in the water and transport sectors. They agreed to initiate cooperation in water projects, inland shipping, water technology and logistics.

Hui and Eurlings also witnessed the signing of three documents on cooperation in water management.

The Netherlands is the first leg of Hui's four-nation Europea tour, which will also take him to Ukraine, Romania and Serbia. Hui, who arrived at The Hague Sunday afternoon, will leave for Ukraine on Wednesday.