The bilateral trade between China and the Netherlands topped US$28.8 billion in 2005, up 34 percent over the previous year.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said here on Tuesday that the Netherlands has maintained its position as China's second largest trade partner in all EU member countries for three consecutive years, only after Germany.

According to the ministry, the China-Dutch trade value doubled in the period between 2002 and 2004.

The Netherlands is also an important source country for China to attract overseas investment, said the ministry.

Statistics show that by November 2005, projects in China involving direct investment from the Netherlands had totaled 1,663, with the overall contractual use of capital reaching US$12.34 billion.

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2006)