Netherlanders, nicknamed "European Chinese" because of cultural similarities, will understand China even better through the visit of President Xi Jinping and the first lady, enabling bilateral relations to expand, Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Chen Xu said.

"I hope the president's historic visit to the Netherlands will herald the next chapter of relations," Chen told China Daily prior to Xi's visit to the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and the European Union's headquarters, which started on Saturday.

"My confidence also results from the fact the (people from the Netherlands) and Chinese share a lot of similarities."

Chen said people from the Netherlands are called "European Chinese", and both cultures are diligent and peace-loving. Both were victims of fascism during World War II, and both have continued to insist on protecting the international system after the war.

In addition, both pursue free trade and fight protectionism.

When Beijing and Brussels encountered a solar panel trade dispute last year, the Netherlands stood firmly with several European countries to veto Brussels' decision to punish China's solar panel exporters.

"We also face the same challenges of realizing sustainable economic growth," Chen said.

"But we are confident we can achieve better relations once we set strategic and forward-looking focus on opportunities and challenges."

Xi's Netherlands visit has begun his first trip to Europe since taking office over a year ago. Before their departure, they received the US first lady Michelle Obama and her two daughters and mother in Beijing.

During Xi's four-day stay in the Netherlands, he will meet King Willem-Alexander and parliamentary leaders, as well as Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Chen said the visit marks many "firsts".

It is the first time a Chinese president has visited the Netherlands since the establishment of diplomatic ties. This state visit is also Willem-Alexander's first meeting with a foreign head of state since he became king.

The Netherlands is the first stop on Xi's Europe visit. It is also his first time participating in the Nuclear Security Summit, which has previously been staged twice in the United States and South Korea.

"This visit will not only promote the development of China-Netherlands ties but also China-EU relations," Chen said.

Chen said the bilateral trade volume surpassed $70 billion in 2013. The Netherlands - following Germany - has remained China's second biggest EU trade partner for 11 consecutive years. The EU is China's biggest trade partner, while China is the EU's second biggest, after the US.

Apart from trade, the Netherlands has become one of the most important destinations for China's overseas investment, which has gathered momentum, especially since the 2007-08 global economic recession.

Meanwhile, the two countries engage in more than 1 million personnel exchanges a year, and 8,000 Chinese students are currently studying in the Netherlands.

There are convenient channels to encourage people-to-people exchanges. Chen said there are seven flight lines linking Amsterdam's and China's airports - a number that overshadows other European gateways.

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/23/2014 page3)