On January 30, 2023, Foreign Minister Qin Gang had a phone call with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra.
Qin Gang said that the China is ready to work with the Netherlands to implement the important common understandings reached between leaders of the two countries, strengthen exchanges at all levels, and continuously promote new progress in bilateral relations. He noted that the most distinctive feature of China-Netherlands relationship is that it is open and pragmatic. As China speeds up its efforts to promote high-quality development and high-level opening up, there will be greater opportunities for China-Netherlands cooperation. China is also ready to strengthen multilateral cooperation with the Netherlands to jointly support the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in achieving positive outcomes, keep international industrial and supply chains stable, and uphold an open and orderly international trade environment rather than a divided and chaotic one.
Hoekstra said that his country is ready to work with China to strengthen exchanges at all levels, deepen cooperation in economy and trade, arms control, non-proliferation, climate change response and other fields, and promote the continued growth of the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The Netherlands will continue to handle economic and trade issues with China in a responsible manner.
In response to the Netherlands’ invitation to China to attend the UN Water Conference 2023 to be co-hosted by the Netherlands to review the implementation of the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028, the Chinese side expressed readiness to send high-level delegates to the event. The two sides also exchanged views on the Japanese government's decision to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. Both sides shared the view that the move bears on human health and the marine environment, and agreed to maintain communication on this issue.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Qin reiterated that China will work with relevant parties to promote talks for peace.