Roundup: China-Netherlands Economic Cooperation Forum held in The Hague

A total of 41 intentions of cooperation were reached among more than 100 Chinese and Dutch enterprises during the the first edition of "China-Netherlands Economic Cooperation Forum" held Friday here.

The event was also hailed as a major event to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Wu Ken, in his welcome speech at the event, said it is openness that has made the Netherlands the gateway of Europe and the fifth largest exporter in the world, and that connects the Netherlands with China so closely as trade and investment partners.

"As for China, we couldn't have made the economic achievements without integrating into the global market. In the future, we will keep our commitments to further opening up," Wu said.

To illustrate the feature of "mutually beneficial and win-win" that marked the bilateral ties, the embassador cited the Chinese import of Dutch diary products as an example.

He also gave as example the partnership between China's BAIC group and Inalfa Roof Systems, which helped Inalfa double its sales thanks to better access to the Chinese market.

"Cooperation could generate enormous synergy and cooperation in advanced equipment not only benefits China and the Netherlands, but also promotes development in third countries," said Wu.

Praising the pioneering spirit and innovativeness of the Dutch people, the Chinese diplomat reminded the audience that Chinese companies have also kept innovating in their products, technologies, service and business models.

"In the past, China mainly exported labor intensive products to the Netherlands, like clothes and shoes. Since 2010, machinery and IT products have accounted for more than 60 percent in bilateral trade," he noted.

Wu refered to the BYD zero emission electric shuttle buses at Schiphol airport, the equipment at Euromax terminal in Rotterdam, and a soft and flexible thin-film solar power product by Hanergy, which was used for paving a bicycle path in North Holland last year.

"The trend of Industry 4.0 and Internet+ offers endless possibilities for cooperation. The urgent need to develop modern agriculture, smart city, and circular economy in China means Dutch experience and technologies would be extremely helpful," said the ambassador.

He added that both countries can work together under the framework of the Belt and Road initiative to boost connectivity among countries along the new Silk Road, and join respective expertise to tap the potential of third-country market.

Rene van Hell, Director of International Enterprise of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, co-host of the forum, also highlighted the fruitful past and bright future of bilateral relations. For him, the two giant pandas, Wu Wen and Xing Ya, who arrived in the Netherlands days ago and have produced a "pandamania" across the country, "are a sign of the special and long relationship between our countries, in which entrepreneurs have played a pivotal role."

"Of course China is on top of our list" for expanding economic ties, he said. "The Dutch businesses are focusing on China like never before."

"We very much welcome that China played a leading role in Paris to really come about with a global treaty to fight climate change. We also very much welcome the role that China plays in the G20 to address concerns that hit the world and need to be addressed," he said.

"The Netherlands operates under the slogan 'global challenges, Dutch solutions,' but what we are really keen to do is co-create and innovate with Chinese companies, and to also work with Chinese companies on the modernization of the Chinese economy," he added.

During the one-day forum, enterprises from both countries held rounds of networking and match-making by sectors. Some 41 pairs reached intentions to work together.

The Netherlands is China's second-largest trading partner within the European Union. Endit