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that growth sustainable
in terms of natural resources,
capital and manpower. As partners, China and the EU
can help each other and learn a great deal from each
other in this respect. Our specific situations may be
very different, but in today’s globalized world the future
is a shared responsibility, encompassing more than just
economic ties. The 2020 Strategic Agenda for Coopera-
tion, set out in 2013, focuses on underlying themes that
are important to both China and the EU: from peace
and security and better market access to sustainable
development and exchanging knowledge, manpower
and culture.
The Netherlands’ role in the EU-China
cooperation
The Netherlands has always had a special place in
relations between China and Europe. As
early as the
17th century, Dutch merchantmen plied the trade
routes to the Far East via present-day Hainan Province
– the venue for the Boao Forum conference. That spe-
cial relationship between our countries was reaffirmed
when President Xi Jinping came to the Netherlands on
a state visit in 2014.
It was his first state visit to an EU member, and
President Xi pointed out how the Netherlands is Chi-
na’s gateway to Europe. Indeed, that is literally the case,
given the importance of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
and Europe’s largest seaport Rotterdam to Chinese ex-
ports. In socio-cultural terms, the relationship between
our countries is exceptional too – not least thanks to
the active Chinese community in the Netherlands.
When
he visited our country, President Xi witnessed
an agreement to set up a new Chinese cultural centre in
the Netherlands.
The Netherlands wants to be that gateway to Europe
in the future, so we are investing heavily in our bilat-
eral relationship with China. The trade figures speak
for themselves. Since the mid-1990s, the goods trade
between China and the Netherlands has increased
from about €2.5 billion to €40 billion. No fewer than
450 Chinese companies have opened branches in the
Netherlands, including the European headquarters of
world-renowned brands such as Huawei Enterprise,
Midea and China Cargo Airlines. A wide variety of Chi-
nese investors are finding their way to the Netherlands.
Sports promoters United Vansen, for example, have
bought the professional
football club in my hometown
of The Hague – a striking example which hit the head-
lines in my country.
The Netherlands has always had a special
place for China as a gateway to Europe. With
closer ties, and in terms of personnel, trade
and business facilitation, China and the
Netherlands can face the same challenges
together, and offer opportunities to
businesses in diverse fields.
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Macro Economy
Opportunities for further cooperation
We are seeing a similar trend in the contacts be-
tween our peoples. The number of Chinese students in
our country is increasing steadily
and currently stands
at around 6,700. The number of tourists from China
is growing faster here than anywhere else. Last year,
255,000 Chinese tourists visited the Netherlands, and
in 10 years’ time we expect the number to top 800,000.
Interestingly, increasing numbers are now also visiting
the tourist destinations outside Amsterdam, and we are
very pleased to welcome them. In the village of Giet-
hoorn – our Venice of the North – tourist information
is even being provided in Chinese.
Another important fact worth mentioning is that
China and the Netherlands are both involved in com-
bating piracy in international waters and are also en-
gaging in military cooperation as part of the UN’s MI-
NUSMA mission, helping to bring stability to Mali. In
doing so we are protecting a common interest, because
safe trade routes and a stable international environ-
ment are essential for the further development of world
trade. These examples also testify to
the responsibility
China – as a large country and major global player – is
shouldering when it comes to resolving global issues.
The Netherlands welcomes this and will endeavor to
remain an active and reliable partner in this context
too.
So there is a great deal that unites us and I hope that
my visit to China will enhance our cooperation further
– I am convinced that opportunity is knocking at our
doors. If I look to the future I see us both facing the
same challenges. How do we deal with an ageing popu-
lation? What do we need to do to cope with the effects
of climate change? How do we provide enough safe
food for the expanding world population? And where
will our energy come from in 2050? The answers to
these and other major sustainability questions will have
to come from
economic sectors like water, life sciences,
agri-food and energy; all of which are highly developed
in the Netherlands. Working together and sharing
knowledge with our Chinese partners will help us both
rise to these challenges and at the same time take our
economies to new heights.
Dutch companies are eager to do business in China
and our country welcomes Chinese businesses with
open arms. We have an attractive fiscal, innovation and
investment climate in an economy that ranks among
the most stable and competitive in the world. To choose
the Netherlands as your base is to opt for a highly ed-
ucated and productive workforce,
excellent transport
links, and a country with an international orientation
and business instincts well matched to those of the Chi-
nese.
Chinese entrepreneurs thinking of setting up busi-
ness in the Netherlands can rely on fast-track visa
procedures for knowledge migrants and the necessary
support from the Dutch diplomatic network in China.
Having recently opened our new consulate-general
in Chongqing, we now have four Dutch consulates in
China, as well as the embassy in Beijing and six Neth-
erlands Business Support Offices. For its part, China
recently opened a new consulate-general in Willem-
stad, Curaçao, one of the countries that make up the
Kingdom of the Netherlands. Yet more evidence of the
mutual wish to invest in our strong cooperation.
The Dutch business representatives who will be ac-
companying me to China join me in looking forward to
strengthening our existing ties
and exploring new op-
portunities to work together. I sincerely hope that, true
to tradition, this Year of the Sheep will indeed bring
favorable winds that will carry both our economies for-
ward and enhance our relations in every aspect.
Mark Rutte
Prime Minister of the Netherlands
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Since LSE’s foundation in 1895 the School has engaged with China
LSE
and
China
The School runs a range of programmes in
China, including
•
A Joint Summer School with Peking University
•
Double Master Degree Programmes with
Peking and Fudan Universities
•
Public
Lectures and Conferences
•
Collaborative Research and PhD Exchange
•
Visiting Scholars Programmes
•
Advising and Training on public policy
and management
The School’s motto
rerum cognoscere causas – To know the cause of things – remains just as relevant in
our engagement with modern day China. LSE strives to increase understanding of a complex and changing
world, and China’s place within it, through excellent teaching and research in the social sciences.
For more information on LSE in China, visit
www.lse.ac.uk/china
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