Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing Tuesday there is no political barrier for expanding bilateral cooperation between China and Holland, and hoped the two countries would continue increasing high-level exchanges and promote cooperation in economic and technological fields.  

Wen made the remarks during talks with visiting Holland Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

Besides "tulips, wooden shoes and wind mills, your country is also known for your enterprising spirit," Wen said at the beginning of the talks.

The good opening remark is itself a reflection to the sound growth of bilateral economic ties. China-Holland trade volume scored a year-on-year growth of 44.3 percent in 2003, posing Holland China's second largest trade partner in the European Union (EU) second only to Germany. Holland is also the fourth largest European investor in China with a number of major corporations operating in China.

"China and Holland enjoy a number of advantages for further cooperation," Wen said, urging the two countries to "seize the opportunities and explore new ways" for pushing forward bilateral cooperation in all areas.

Balkenende told Wen that his country attaches great importance to the good relations with China and hoped to make new progress in agriculture, environmental protection, transport and other areas.

Holland is to assume the rotating chairmanship of EU soon and will host the seventh China-EU summit within the year.

"There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and the EU," Wen said, citing the China-EU relationship as "an all-round strategic partnership."

China-EU trade surpassed US$100 billion last year and the two sides shared identical or similar views on a number of major international issues, Wen said, stressing that both advocated multilateralism, the role of the United Nations and the diversity in the world.

"China hopes Holland will push forward such strategic partnership during its EU chairmanship," he said.

Balkenende also commended the expanding cooperation between the EU and China in political and economic areas, and in particular praised China's progress in the area of human rights. He hoped the China-EU human rights dialogue would achieve new progress and enhance mutual understanding in the area.

Balkenende was here for a working visit at the invitation of Wen.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2004)