Chinese president meets Dutch parliamentary leaders

THE HAGUE - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Ankie Broekers-Knol and Anouchka van Miltenburg, leaders of the States-General of the Netherlands, the country's parliament, here on Monday.

Xi said inter-parliament exchange is a key part of the China-Netherlands relationship and Beijing is willing to enhance communication with the Dutch parliament as well as its political parties on the basis of mutual respect.

He hopes the two sides can have in-depth discussion on major topics regarding development and peoples' livelihood, and consolidate legal foundation for bilateral cooperation.

Noting that the Dutch parliament is reviewing a new document on China policy put forward by the Dutch government, Xi said he believes the paper will instill new vitality and momentum into the two countries' relations.

The Chinese president also hopes the legislative body of the Netherlands will continue to play an active role in promoting a comprehensive partnership that stresses openness and pragmatism between the two countries.

Broekers-Knol, President of the First Chamber (upper house) and Van Miltenburg, President of the Second Chamber(lower house) said the two countries have enjoyed long-standing friendship and productive cooperation.

They said the Netherlands is happy to see its science and technology, and experiences in agriculture and water conservation have made positive contributions to China's modernization drive.

The two senior lawmakers also hailed Xi's visit as "historic," and said the legislatures seek to strengthen exchanges with China's National People's Congress and make fresh contributions to the development of bilateral relations.

Xi arrived in the Netherlands Saturday for a state visit, the first one ever made by a Chinese president to the western European country since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1972.

During his trip to the Netherlands, the Chinese leader will also attend the third Nuclear Security Summit.

Since his arrival here, Xi has already met with Dutch King Willem-Alexander, as well as Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The Netherlands is the first leg of Xi's European tour, which will also take him to France, Germany and Belgium.