Dutch PM Rutte's victory over populism hailed as boost for Sino-EU relations

The victory of the Dutch prime minister over his far-right challenger Geert Wilders will help the unity of the European Union and also bolster Sino-EU relations, according to commentators.

While the final result of Wednesday's election has yet to be announced, the latest figures suggest that Mark Rutte, the leader of the center right VVD, had won 33 seats in the 150-seat Parliament, making VVD the largest party. Wilder's Freedom Party won 20 seats.

Rutte will form a coalition government, his third since 2010.