Wang vows to bolster Sino-Dutch ties

THE HAGUE - Vice-President Wang Qishan paid a visit to the Netherlands from Tuesday to Thursday, pledging to cement bilateral ties and achieve common development.

During his stay in The Hague, Wang met with Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Mark Rutte separately.

Wang conveyed best regards from President Xi Jinping to King Willem-Alexander, saying the China-Netherlands relations have seen a rapid growth in recent years in the spirit of mutual respect and seeking common ground while putting aside differences.

The facts prove that the two countries can achieve common development and prosperity despite their different social systems, cultures and development stages, said Wang.

China welcomes the Netherlands to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said, hoping the Dutch side would create a fair, nondiscriminatory and transparent business environment for the Chinese investors.

Stressing the historical trend of economic globalization, Wang said China has always insisted on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation based on consultations on equal footing in a bid to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

King Willem-Alexander said the Netherlands values relations with China, and expressed his satisfaction with the recent development of bilateral ties.

While meeting with Rutte on Wednesday, Wang said his visit to the Netherlands was aimed at enhancing communication and mutual trust and implementing consensus reached by leaders of the two countries during their mutual visits.

He urged the two sides to enhance bilateral trade, facilitate investment and deepen cooperation in financial and innovative sectors.

China supports the European integration, said Wang, adding that China will work with the European side to safeguard and uphold the free trade principles and jointly build an open world economy.

The Netherlands is Wang's second stop of his Asia-Europe tour, which will also take him to Germany. Wang had visited Pakistan starting from May 26.

Xinhua

(China Daily 06/01/2019 page8)