Rutte speaks positively of cultural contacts btw China, Netherlands

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke positively of cultural contacts between China and the Netherlands.

Rutte said he was amazed by the success of the yellow rubber duck, a very nice symbol of design from his country during an exclusive interview with Xinhuanet Saturday.

He also talked of another "Dutch element" -- the new head quarter of CCTV designed by a Dutch architect, saying the impressive building has become a landmark of Beijing.

"The people in Netherlands are generally very much interested in Chinese culture, in many areas, from music to many other things", the prime minister went on. "So there are many opportunities."

Mentioning a concert in Beijing by a famous orchestra from Amsterdam, Rutte said that opportunity like this was a perfect example of China and Netherlands working together in the culture area.

Rutte added the cooperation history between the two countries has come a long way, first in the agriculture sector 35 or 40 years ago, stressing there are many opportunities now to extend the cooperation.