Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng calls for joint climate action with the Netherlands

Han highlights ‘complementary advantages’ between China and Europe as he meets the prime minister and the king during three-day Netherlands visit

‘We look forward to a rapid recovery of exchanges and deeper cooperation’, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte tells Han as they meet at The Hague

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Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng is greeted by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte ahead of their meeting at The Hague. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:00pm, 14 May 2023Updated: 5:59pm, 14 May 2023

“There are no fundamental conflicts of interest between China and Europe,” Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng said, as he called for joint climate action with the Netherlands during a three-day visit to the country.

“The key to tackling climate change lies in taking action, which requires the joint attention and efforts of the international community,” Han told Dutch officials, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement on Saturday.

“There are no fundamental conflicts of interest between China and Europe, but rather complementary advantages. China is willing to promote the better development of China-Europe relations through pragmatic cooperation,” he said.

Han was among three top Chinese officials to tour Europe ahead of a European foreign ministers’ meeting in Sweden to “recalibrate” their China strategy, as Beijing’s stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued to test relations.

China trade ties are also expected to feature high on the agenda when leaders of the Group of Seven nations meet this week in Japan.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte posted about Han’s visit on Twitter, saying: “The Netherlands attaches importance to a good relationship with China in which we speak openly with each other.”