Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The People’s Republic of China
Li Qiang Has a Phone Call with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte
Updated: May 16, 2023 23:00

On May 16, 2023, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang had a phone call with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte.

Li Qiang said that the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between China and the Netherlands, jointly defined by President Xi Jinping and King Willem-Alexander, meets the interests of the two countries and the needs of the two peoples. China regards the Netherlands as a priority partner of cooperation within the European Union, and is ready to work with the Netherlands to jointly promote cooperation in various fields to achieve new results. China will continue to open up its market, strengthen intellectual property protection, and welcome more high-quality specialty products and competitive enterprises of the Netherlands coming into the Chinese market. Li Qiang expressed his hope that the Netherlands will provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in the country. China is ready to deepen cooperation with the Netherlands in such fields as agriculture, water conservancy and new energy, promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen cooperation in multilateral fields including addressing climate change.

Li Qiang pointed out that China and the Netherlands have benefited from and supported economic globalization and free trade, and expressed his hope that the Netherlands will uphold the spirit of contract, adhere to market principles and WTO rules, safeguard the common interests of China and the Netherlands and their enterprises, and defend the smooth and unimpeded global industrial and supply chains. China’s policy toward Europe is characterized by a high degree of consistency and stability. China and Europe should practice true multilateralism and jointly oppose camp confrontation and a new Cold War. Li Qiang expressed his hope that the Netherlands will urge Europe to adhere to strategic autonomy, and make greater contribution to the development of China-Europe relations.

Mark Rutte said that China is an important cooperative partner of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, deepen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, water conservancy and climate change, and push for in-depth development of the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between the Netherlands and China. The Netherlands is ready to continue to be a bond and bridge for cooperation and exchanges between Europe and China.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest and concern.