When he was invited to give lectures about China in the Netherlands, the most frequently asked questions were about China's political system, he said.

China's efforts to communicate with the world before and during the Olympics are "worthwhile" and are even more important considering China's rapid growth and the possible perception of China as a sort of "threat" in othe parts of the world, he said.

"It is extremely important to make a sustained effort to explain (to the world) what China is doing and what your policies are, and to be transparent," he said.

ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA

"China in its history has never been so open to foreigners as it is now. We should simply grab the opportunity, go there and engage in dialogue," he told parliament in June.

The Netherlands is China's second biggest trading partner within the European Union, and enhancing relations with China is to the benefit of the country, he said.

During his tenure as ambassador to China, one of his priorities was to strive to increase mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples.

He encouraged his fellow Dutch people to travel to China. The best way to understand China is to "go there and see for yourself, and talk to people," he said.

In fact, most Dutch tourists consider Chinese very friendly and hospitable, and have enjoyed their stay in the country, the former ambassador said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2008)