China, Netherlands enhance parliamentary exchange

THE HAGUE - China and the Netherlands on Wednesday reached broad consensus on enhancing bilateral ties and parliamentary exchange.

"Parliamentary exchange constitutes an important part of bilateral relationship," said Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), during a meeting here with the presidents of the First and Second Chamber of Dutch parliament Fred de Graaf and Gerdi Verbeet.

It plays a significant role in deepening political mutual trust, promoting pragmatic cooperation and enhancing friendship between peoples of different countries, said Wu.

The meeting took place after Wu arrived in Amsterdam on Tuesday for an official goodwill visit, the first one by a Chinese top legislator to the Netherlands.

Looking back on the four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Wu said the increasing mutual political trust, fruitful practical cooperation, frequent people-to-people exchanges, along with close communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs have brought concrete benefits to both countries and their peoples.

Wu expressed appreciation for the Netherlands' adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China's peaceful unification.

China has attached great importance to its ties with the Netherlands, Wu noted, hoping that the two countries would further intensify their friendly exchanges and enhance mutual understanding to push the bilateral relationship to new high.

In terms of parliamentary links, Wu said the two sides should strengthen exchanges at all levels and all areas. Wu invited de Graaf and Verbeet to visit China.

De Graaf and Verbeet, for their parts, expressed support for the Dutch government's stance in adopting the one-China policy as the cornerstone of its diplomatic relations with China. They also expressed appreciation for China's constructive role in international and regional affairs.

Dutch parliaments would take advantage of the 40th anniversary of Sino-Dutch diplomatic relations to strengthen its exchanges and cooperation with China's NPC, and continue to contribute to the comprehensive development of bilateral relations, they said.

Wu left the Netherlands for Croatia on Thursday for a visit. He will also visit Luxembourg and Spain in the European tour.