China willing to promote cooperation with Netherlands: senior political advisor

THE HAGUE -- China is willing to promote Sino-Dutch cooperation to a new level in the interest of the two peoples, a visiting senior Chinese political advisor said on Friday.

The Chinese and the Dutch peoples have been closely connected by the four-centuries-old Silk Road and friendship between China and the Netherlands has stood the test of time, said Du Qinglin, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) -- China's top political advisory body.

The friendship is now deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples, Du said at the end of a four-day visit to the Netherlands.

China is willing to work together with the Netherlands to implement the significant gains achieved during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Netherlands, and promote the Sino-Dutch cooperation to a new level, he stressed.

Du introduced China's initiative to build a "Silk Road Economic Zone", describing it as a bridge of heart, friendship, exchange and cooperation, which fits the interests of both nations.

"We must seize the opportunity and tap all potential to transform bilateral cooperation into valuable assets benefitting both peoples," said Du.

The Chinese official also expounded on the general objective, principles and major tasks in the field of comprehensively advancing the rule of law set by the fourth plenary session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, as well as the socialist consultive democracy in China.

The Dutch side spoke highly of the economic and social development achieved by China and expressed appreciation for the "Silk Road Economic Zone" initiative, noting that the Netherlands is willing to deepen cooperation with China in the fields of agriculture, environment protection, science and technologies, etc.

Du led a CPPCC delegation on a visit to the Netherlands which started on Tuesday. During the visit, Du met with Ankie Broekers-Knol, president of the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, Hans Franken, first vice President of the House of Senators, and Mariette Hamer, president of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands.

The CPPCC delegation also visited Dutch enterprises in horticulture and dairy industry.