Chinese vice premier meets Netherlands' PM on climate co-op, ties

UNITED NATIONS -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said here Tuesday that Beijing is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Netherlands on climate change and further advance bilateral ties.

Zhang, who is here to attend Tuesday's UN Climate Summit as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, made the remarks in a meeting with Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the Netherlands in March, he said, the two sides issued a joint statement, vowing to build a comprehensive partnership that highlights openness and pragmatism.

The statement, for the first time, defined the bilateral relationship and charted the course for their future development, added the vice premier.

Noting that China attaches great importance to its relationship with the Netherlands, Zhang said Beijing stands ready to work with Amsterdam to implement Xi's pledge in a comprehensive manner, maintain frequent high-level exchanges, and respect each other's core concerns.

The Netherlands is the founding member of the European Union ( EU) and plays a unique role in the EU affairs. China is willing to further elevate the quality and level of pragmatic cooperation with the Netherlands and strengthen coordination and cooperation on China-EU affairs, Zhang noted.

According to the vice premier, strengthened dialogue between China and the Netherlands on climate change would contribute to advancing the sound and stable development of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

China is ready to boost its cooperation with the Netherlands on climate change, making it a fresh highlight of China-EU partnership, said the presidential convoy.

For his part, Rutte said Xi's state visit to the Netherlands is a major event in bilateral relations, and the two sides will conduct a series of high-level exchanges.

The Netherlands is willing to work with China to strengthen political dialogue, promote economic and trade cooperation and constantly deepen bilateral ties, he added.

Amsterdam, Rutte said, appreciates the ambitious goal set by Beijing in its fight against climate change and the effective measures China has taken.

The Netherlands expects China to play a leading role in international cooperation on climate battle, while forging closer ties with China in this area, he said.