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China and Holland to Further Broaden Cooperation Area
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Holland by special plane on 7th at the invitation of Balkenende, Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs of Holland. The visit was made under the background of the establishment of China-Europe full strategic partnership and fast development of China-Holland cooperation relations in recent years. During the visit to Holland, Premier Wen would discuss with Dutch leader on further development of bilateral relations and participate China-EU Industry and Commerce summit. The two nations would signed several cooperation agreements to further expand cooperation for driving up the health and high speed development of China-Holland relations.
China and Holland established diplomatic relations in May 1972. In recent years, cross visit of high level officials was kept continuing and political relations were maintained a favorable momentum of development. Foreign trade and Economic relations between China and Holland in recent years developed vigorously. In 2003, bilateral trade amounted to US$15.4 billion. In the first 9 months, bilateral trade reached US$15 billion and was expected to exceed US$18 billion at the end of 2004. Holland maintained to be the second biggest trading partner of China in Europe for 2 years running. Besides, Northlands' investment in China was increasing, at present, it became the second biggest investment country for China.
While the foreign trade and economic relations between the two countries were thriving rapidly, Cooperation in hi-tech industry strode forward a new pace.
Xue Hanqing, Chinese ambassador to Holland, introduced that in recent years, Dutch showed much interest in China and Chinese was listed to be a minor course in schools and on the other hand, more and more Chinese students went to Holland to continue their study, up to over 7000 people and maintaining an increasing trend.
As the first EU Chairman on duty after EU expansion, Holland took on heavy works of the council. Regarding to foreign affairs, Holland placed Europe-China and Holland-China relations as focus. Ben Bot, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Holland said that the target of the Summit was to upgrade China-Europe relations to a new level.
EU and Holland strove to develop economy, to enhance foreign trade and economic relations with China would be the important part of Europe-China and Holland-China relations. Leaders from China, Holland and other EU nations thought that China and Europe needed a closer cooperation as two important power in the world, China-Holland relations should be kept growing at a high speed, which was meet not only the benefits of two nations but also the strategic partnership between China and Europe.
(Information by Network Center of MOFCOM)
