Wang Yi Meets with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra

On July 8, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Bali Island.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands. Over the past 50 years, the two sides have promoted cooperation in various fields in an open manner and pragmatic spirit, driving bilateral relations to achieve new results, which not only benefit the two countries and peoples, but also make Chinese and Dutch contributions to global development and prosperity. China is willing to work with the Netherlands to keep the right direction, and truly implement the positioning of an open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, so as to constantly promote bilateral relations to new levels.

Wang Yi said that globalization has enabled countries to connect markets, share resources and integrate industries, which not only benefits all parties but is also an inevitable trend for the development and progress of human society. Pricing and politicizing economic and trade cooperation and forming closed and exclusive cliques are not only against economic laws, but also detrimental to the post-pandemic recovery. President Xi Jinping pointed out that it is not in line with the historical trend to let the sea of the world economy recede into small isolated lakes and rivers. China will adhere to implementing a wider, broader and deeper opening to the outside world, and is willing to work with the Netherlands to remove disturbances and jointly maintain the stability of supply and industrial chains.

Hoekstra said that President Xi Jinping's analogy is very apt. I have visited China many times, and the rapid development and changes since China's reform and opening up are amazing. The Netherlands attaches great importance to the friendship with China, highly evaluates the fruitful results achieved in bilateral relations over the past half century, and hopes to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties as an opportunity to maintain high-level contacts and deepen practical cooperation in accordance with the principles of equality, reciprocity and mutual respect, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Hoekstra said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has affected the whole world. The Netherlands advocates upholding multilateralism and expects China to play an important role. Wang Yi said that all parties at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting called for a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities as soon as possible. China will continue to adhere to promoting peace talks, and support the EU in playing a constructive role in finding practical and feasible solutions.