Netherlands urges further cooperation with Guangzhou

Marjo Crompvoets, the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Guangzhou, urged further cooperation between Guangzhou and the Netherlands, during a celebration banquet at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on April 28.

2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationships between China and the Netherlands, as well as the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Dutch Embassy in Guangzhou. 

"The Maritime Silk Road connected China and the Netherlands over 400 years ago," Crompvoets said. "Over the past 45 years since China and the Netherlands established official diplomatic relationships, we have made great steps in bilateral ties." 

In 2016 trade volume between the Netherlands and Guangdong province hit 90.46 billion yuan ($13.1 billion), a 20 percent of total Sino-Dutch trade.

In recent years, Guangdong-based enterprises have carved their ways to the European market, the Netherlands being an emerging investment hot spot. 

Government statistics reveal that in 2016 there were more than 90 Guangdong-based enterprises engaging in e-commerce, information technology, and bioscience in the Netherlands. 

The city of Utrecht twinned with Guangzhou as sister cities in 1995, boosting exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, education, scientific research, service industry, cultural innovation and tourism. 

Crompvoets said that Sino-Dutch cooperation is an ongoing process. "In 2016, the Consulate has organized activities to promote communication and cooperation." 

"The concept of sustainable development is leading the way for China to pursue a moderately prosperous society by the year 2020, which the Netherlands government fully supports," Crompvoets said. "Well preserved environment, advanced transportation network, and high production capability are vital to a city's sustainable development." 

"As a country with a strong maritime history, the Netherlands is very experienced in clean water resources management. We look forward further cooperation with Guangzhou's water conservancy bureau to work together on related management projects," Crompvoets said. 

Marjo Crompvoets (L), the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Guangzhou, along with Fulco van Lede, CEO of SHV group, at the celebration banquet. [Photo/xkb.com.cn]