Li Keqiang of China Emphasizes Cooperation with Dutch Prime Minister on 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang [Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held a video conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, emphasizing the establishment of a comprehensive cooperative relationship. This statement came amid unresolved differences with Europe over issues such as the Xinjiang Uyghur human rights situation and the Ukraine war.

According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 24th, Premier Li told Prime Minister Rutte the previous day, "Both China and the Netherlands have open economies and are important cooperative partners." This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands, and the two leaders exchanged congratulatory messages, the agency reported.

During the video conference, Premier Li emphasized, "We must strengthen political mutual trust and leverage complementary advantages to deepen practical cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and transportation," adding, "We welcome more high-quality Dutch agricultural products entering the Chinese market, and hope to increase direct flights between the two countries while effectively carrying out epidemic prevention to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two nations." He also described the Netherlands as "an important country in Europe," stating, "A sound relationship and cooperation with China will benefit both sides and also contribute to the stable development of China-European Union (EU) relations."

Prime Minister Rutte said, "The Netherlands and China have a special relationship, and the friendship between the two countries continues to deepen," expressing hope that "on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, cooperation in trade, transportation, agriculture, climate change, and other areas will be further strengthened, and people-to-people exchanges promoted." The agency briefly reported that both sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest.

Meanwhile, South Korea also marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China on the same day. Both countries will hold official commemorative events in Seoul and Beijing, with Foreign Minister Park Jin and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attending to read congratulatory letters from their respective leaders. However, it is widely assessed that the atmosphere will be somewhat different from the 20th anniversary event, which had a celebratory tone with the surprise attendance of then Vice President and Politburo Standing Committee member Xi Jinping, who was effectively designated as the next leader.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.