Wang Yi Speaks with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra on the Phone

On February 11, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra at the latter's request.

Wang Yi congratulated Hoekstra on assuming his new post, and said that China attaches great importance to developing relations with the Netherlands, which is an important cooperative partner of China in Europe. The two heads of state jointly defined the positioning of an open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between China and the Netherlands, which fully reflects the characteristics of bilateral ties and future development goals. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Netherlands. The two sides should take this opportunity to jointly implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, take stock of successful experience and make plans for the future, so as to contribute more to the respective development of both countries, as well as to world peace and stability.

Wang Yi said, both bilateral trade volume and two-way investment saw positive growth against the overall downward trend last year, and the Netherlands, following Germany, has become China's second trading partner in the European Union (EU) with bilateral trade surpassing 100 billion U.S. dollars. That fully reflects the great potential of cooperation between the two countries. China and the Netherlands should continue to deepen cooperation with an attitude of openness and a spirit of pragmatism. China supports the establishment of a China-Netherlands Business Council, and the Dutch side is welcome to organize "cloud visits" to China for its trade and economic delegations. The two sides should deepen international cooperation in climate change and other fields, and China hopes that the Netherlands will actively support and participate in the China-proposed Global Development Initiative and the Global Initiative on Data Security, so as to jointly promote global sustainable development.

Wang Yi stressed, the Netherlands is a founding and core member of the EU, and as two independent major forces in the world, China and the EU share extensive common interests. China and the EU should stay committed to the positioning of comprehensive strategic partnership, keep dialogue and cooperation as the mainstay, and ensure that China-EU relations are always on the right course of sound and stable development. China hopes that the Netherlands will play an active and positive role in injecting more stability and greater vitality into China-EU relations.

Wang Yi pointed out, despite the unchecked COVID-19 pandemic, China has fulfilled its commitment to host a successful Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 as scheduled, not only reflecting the great importance China attaches to sports, but also carrying forward the Olympic spirit. China hopes and believes that the Games, held against a special backdrop, would bring more confidence and hopes to people of all countries, and encourage the international community to act on the Olympic spirit of "Together" and jointly tackle various global challenges facing us currently. The Netherlands has sent its largest-ever delegation for the Olympic Winter Games, and China congratulates the delegation on the excellent performance thus far and wishes the delegation more success in the coming games.

Hoekstra congratulated China's successful hosting of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, and praised the splendid opening ceremony and excellent organization of the Games. He expects that the spirit of solidarity shown in sports could be passed onto politics and promote international cooperation. He stressed that the Netherlands attaches great importance to the new opportunities brought by the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Netherlands-China diplomatic ties, and stands ready to strengthen bilateral exchanges at all levels, deepen cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology, sports and international affairs, and continuously deepen and widen bilateral ties. The Netherlands supports the EU and China in strengthening dialogue and exchanges, properly handling differences, and jointly addressing global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

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