On October 27, local time, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte in the Hague.

Jia first conveyed the cordial greetings and good wishes from Premier Wen Jiabao. He said Prime Minister Rutte and the government of the Netherlands attach importance to developing ties with China and adopt a positive policy towards China, for which China appreciates. The two countries share traditional friendship. Bilateral ties have been developing continuously since the establishment of diplomatic ties. China attaches great importance to the ties with the Netherlands, and is ready to enhance dialogues and exchanges with the Netherlands, respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, properly handle sensitive issues and earnestly advance pragmatic cooperation in all areas, so as to ensure fast and sound development of bilateral ties, he said.

Jia said that the Netherlands has been China's second largest trade partner in the EU for eight consecutive years and its trade with China last year exceeded US $ 56 billion. Jia said that China and the Netherlands, as large trading countries, should take measures to further expand bilateral trade and mutual investments, and oppose various forms of protectionism. He said both countries should further promote economic and trade ties in order to contribute to the stabilization and revival of the world economy.

Noting major achievements China and the Netherlands have made in their collaborations in the agricultural and water conservation sectors, Jia said China is now focusing on developing its modern agriculture, a move that will serve as a good opportunity for bilateral cooperation. He hoped that both sides will continue their efforts to well implement the agricultural demonstration center and other existing cooperation projects and uplift the level of bilateral cooperation in agriculture and water conservancy for the benefit of both peoples.

Commenting on China's relations with Europe, Jia said sustained and healthy development of Sino-European ties conforms to the fundamental interests of both sides, and is conducive to the world's development, prosperity and progress. China views the European Union as an important power in the world, and has always supported European integration, and valued the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides, he said. The Netherlands, as a founding member, has unique influence within the EU. China is ready to make joint efforts with the Netherlands to promote the further development of China-EU relations.

For his part, Rutte thanked for Premier Wen's greetings. The relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect, trust and frankness. Both sides have conducted close and fruitful cooperation and this visit will surely further promote the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The people of the Netherlands admire China's development achievements and appreciate China's help to Europe amidst the ongoing eurozone debt crisis, he said, adding that the Netherlands is ready to further enhance dialogue and cooperation with China. The Netherlands is also ready to make full of the opportunity of China's 12th Five-Year Plan to push Netherlands-China as well as EU-China cooperation to a new level.

Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of the National Committee of the CPPCC Qian Yunlu, Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Zhang Jun and other officials attended the meeting.