Chinese Community in the Netherlands held a large-scale celebration in AFAS Circustheater The Hague on 10th May to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment at ambassadorial level of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands.
More than 1,000 people from the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Dutch government representatives at all levels, representatives of international organizations, diplomatic envoys from many countries in the Netherlands, nearly 50 Chinese associations in the Netherlands, and friends from China and the Netherlands in economics, trade, culture, and academia gathered together. They shared the profound friendship of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands, and looked forward to the sound development prospects of China-Netherlands relations.
H.E. Mr. Tan Jian, Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands, said that over the past 50 years, China-Netherlands relations have been developing continuously. Especially In 2014 and 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping and H.M. King Willem Alexander paid successful and historical state visits to each other, and the two countries agreed to establish an “Open and Pragmatic Partnership for Comprehensive Cooperation”, providing both the foundation of and direction for the development of Sino-Dutch relations in the new era. Over the past 50 years, the breadth and depth of bilateral relations have expanded, and cooperation in various fields such as economy, culture, education, science and technology has yielded fruitful results.
Tan Jian said that the healthy and stable development of China-Netherlands cooperation in various fields is the result of the joint efforts of the Chinese and Dutch governments and people, including the overseas Chinese in the Netherlands. For a long time, overseas Chinese in the Netherlands have been actively building bridges to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Dutch peoples, and to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in many fields such as economy, culture and tourism. The overseas Chinese in the Netherlands are an important link in maintaining the relationship between China and the Netherlands, and they are witnesses, participants and contributors to the friendly cooperation between China and the Netherlands.
Karin Mosenlechner, Director of the Asia & Oceania Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in her speech that China and the Netherlands have been in exchanges for hundreds of years and have maintained close trade ties. She praised China’s great achievements in recent years and emphasized the importance of China to the Dutch economy. She said that over eight hundreds Dutch companies are active in China, including all Dutch big companies, China is the third largest import partner of the Netherlands and are most important trade destination in Asia. China is especially important for the development of Dutch agriculture, health, environment and logistics industries.
Karin Mosenlechner said that people-to-people exchanges between China and the Netherlands are crucial, as a bridge of cultural communication, connecting people. She wished that ties between the Chinese and Dutch peoples will remain strong and friendly.
Shu Yanping, chairman of the Organizing Committee of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Netherlands, introduced the development path and current situation of Chinese in the Netherlands since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 50 years ago. At present, Dutch Chinese are one of the important ethnic minorities in the Netherlands and have achieved remarkable achievements in all aspects.
Shu Yanping said that the Chinese are not only the beneficiaries of the Dutch society, but also the participants and builders. They are never absent from the big family and community affairs of the Dutch society. Dutch Chinese are willing to be firewood and continue to fuel the friendship between China and the Netherlands.
On the celebration day, guests from all walks of life enjoyed a cultural and artistic feast that combined Chinese and Western musical instrument performances, martial arts, as well as modern singing and dancing, and magic, with high evaluation.
