Tremendous opportunities created for Dutch businesses in China

"Such decisions are not taken lightly. As President Xi Jinping emphasized during his visit in 2014, the Netherlands is the gateway to Europe," he said.

On the Netherlands' intention to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as a prospective founding member, the Dutch prime minister explained that it is vital for the Netherlands to be involved in the new bank.

"We welcome the creation of the new bank as it could play a key role in providing infrastructure financing in Asia. By joining it, we are investing in our ties with China and the wider region - a strong economic region with great potential for Dutch companies," Rutte said.

"Since the Netherlands earns around 30 percent of its income abroad, I believe it is vital to be involved in such developments, " he said.

As to the partnership between the European Union and China, the Dutch prime minister noted that this partnership is based on the EU 2020 agenda, a 10-year strategy proposed by the European Commission in 2010 for the advancement of the EU's economy.

"I expect that we will move forward on the basis of this agenda and that our political and economic ties will continue to deepen, with the signing of an investment agreement being one of the main goals ahead of us," he said.

"Such an agreement would further consolidate our already strong relationship. Both parties have a lot to gain: It would generate jobs, prosperity and innovation," Rutte said.