On November 20th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy jointly hosted the reception marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands at the Peace Palace of CPAFFC. Mr. Xie Hangsheng, Vice Foreign Minister attended the reception.
Mr. Li Jianping, Vice President of CPAFFC and Mr. Aart Jacob, Ambassdor of the Netherlands attended the reception and delivered speeches. Mr. Li said in his speech that, despite of several ups and downs, the past 40 years of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands maintained steady with frequent high-level exchanges and enhanced political mutual trust. Economic interests increasingly blended. Great achievements have been made on local cooperation and people-to-people friendship. we will continue to strengthen people-to-people friendship, enhance the mutual trust between our two peoples and strive for a better future between China and the Netherlands. Mr. Jacob said in his speech that, the relationship between China and the Netherlands dated long back into history. We kept frequent high-level contacts. In the Netherlands, a new government has just been inaugurated, and in China new leaders were about to take their places as well. In the near future we will see more visits between our two countries, and cooperation will develop in every sectors.
The reception enjoyed a rich content with various forms. Photo exhibition and concert showed to the audience the history of bilateral relations, the cooperations and profound friendship. The reception invited the representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Department of CPC, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Food and Drug Administration, Beijing Foreign Affairs Office, Hebei Foreign Affairs Office, Bank of Beijing, and Dutch friends from Internationale Nederlanden Group, RABO Bank Netherlands, Philips, Shell China and Van Gogh Musemu and so on. Around 100 guests attended the reception.
