Netherlands-China ties positive: Dutch FM

Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal said here Monday that relations between the Netherlands and China will be positive in the foreseeable future.

"I think the relations are excellent. We are actually celebrating 40 years of diplomatic ties on an ambassadorial level, and that shows how in-depth the relations have developed," Rosenthal told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

Rosenthal, who is on a two-day visit to China, met with top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin on Monday afternoon, and will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Tuesday.

The foreign minister reiterated the adherence to China's territorial integrity, and said it was "a good starting point for the intensification and further strengthening of political relations."

He hailed bilateral economic ties, and noted that economic relations were "very intensive, numerous" and that there was "a huge flow of goods and services between the Netherlands and China."

Rosenthal said 3,000 businesses in the Netherlands were exporting goods and services to China. There are around 1,000 active Dutch corporations in China, which includes Philips and banking institutions, as well as many mid-sized firms.

He pointed out that bilateral economic activities were in many fields, including energy, agricultural, water, financing, and logistics.

According to the latest statistics, bilateral economic trade reached a new high of 68.15 billion U.S. dollars, while year-on-year growth hit 21.3 percent. For nine consecutive years, the Netherlands has been China's second-biggest trade partner in the EU.

Rosenthal said the Netherlands was a firm supporter of a strong EU, and was keen all EU member states kept their promises and adhere to their government deficit plans. Rosenthal said this was the best guarantee for economic growth in the EU.

Rosenthal will conclude his visit on Tuesday.