Existing strong ties get a boost
Chinese leader's visit further strengthens solid trade and economic ties, writes Nazvi Careem
China has enjoyed excellent trade and economic relations with the Netherlands for decades but, this year, the bond was strengthened with President Xi Jinping's visit to the European country in March.
Xi became the first Chinese leader to make an official state visit to the Netherlands, where he met Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as both sides vowed to step up trade and economic co-operation.
The two leaders were present for the signing of a number of agreements on bilateral co-operation in energy, agriculture, trade and culture. The Chinese leader, who also met King Willem-Alexander, identified further areas such as hi-tech, finance and tourism in which China and the Netherlands can enhance already solid relationships.
In the wake of Xi's visit, Cui Hongjian, director of the department of European studies at the China Institute of International Studies, was quoted as saying the Netherlands is a central market in Beijing's quest to improve economic ties with Europe.
"The Netherlands is still the trade and investment centre in Europe, and much is expected for the co-operation between China and the Netherlands. Deepening co-operation is beneficial to both and important for the global economic recovery," Cui said.
The Netherlands has been China's second-largest trading partner from the European Union for the past 11 years, while there are close to 400 companies and investment projects from China in the Netherlands.