On 29 January, H.E. Mr. Shen Bo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, hosted his first official reception at the Embassy of China in The Hague following the presentation of his credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.
The event, held on the occasion of his Assumption of Duty and in celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year, gathered ambassadors, heads of mission, representatives of international organizations, Dutch officials and ministers, and distinguished members of the Chinese diaspora. The grand reception hall of the embassy was filled to capacity. Among the special guests were H.E. Mr. Robert Tieman, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, and Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
In his remarks, Ambassador Shen Bo warmly welcomed the attendees: “On behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Chinese Permanent Mission to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and also in my own name, I would like to extend my warmest welcome and heartfelt thanks to all of you for your presence.”
Referring to his recent arrival, he noted: “I arrived in the Netherlands on 9 December last year, and last week had the honor of presenting Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, as well as Letter of Credentials to the Director-General of the OPCW. The Government of the Netherlands and the relevant international organizations have provided thoughtful, friendly, and efficient assistance, for which I would like to express my sincere appreciation.”
Highlighting historical parallels between the two nations, the Ambassador drew a symbolic comparison between Dutch water management achievements and one of China’s most iconic landmarks: “The Great Wall, built by the Chinese people over centuries, also stands as a representative symbol of the Chinese nation and an important emblem of Chinese civilization, embodying the spirit of perseverance and self-improvement, as well as the patriotic dedication, unity, and resilience of the Chinese people. These two great feats of engineering, spanning time and space, reflect each other and vividly showcase a shared spirit between the Chinese and Netherlands peoples: unyielding determination and a pioneering mindset.”
Ambassador Shen recalled the 2014 state visit of President Xi Jinping to the Netherlands, during which both countries established an “Open and Pragmatic Partnership for Comprehensive Cooperation,” describing it as “a new start of our bilateral relations.”
He emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and dialogue in a changing global landscape: “We should work together to fortify the bulwark of multilateralism, free trade, and economic globalization, ensuring that the door of dialogue remains open and the bridge of communication remains open, while enhancing mutual understanding and bridging differences through candid exchange.” On the state of bilateral relations, he underlined: “There are no fundamental conflicts of interest between China and the Netherlands, nor are there issues that cannot be properly managed. We should respond to the uncertainties of a turbulent world through the stability of our bilateral relations, and contribute China-Netherlands strength to peace and development for all humanity.”
Turning to China’s domestic development, Ambassador Shen highlighted recent economic milestones:
“In 2025, China’s GDP surpassed the threshold of 140 trillion Yuan, with economic growth reaching 5 percent over the previous year, which marks a successful conclusion to the 14th Five-Year Plan.” He added that the new Five-Year Plan would open further opportunities for international cooperation: “China will promote high-standard opening up, create new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation, and secure further progress in building a community with a shared future for humanity.”
Speaking about his diplomatic priorities in the Netherlands, Ambassador Shen expressed confidence in the future of bilateral ties: “I have been deeply impressed by the solid foundation, vast potential, and dynamic vitality of the cooperation between China and Netherlands, which fills me with confidence and ambition for the future of our bilateral relations.”
Looking ahead to the Year of the Horse, he concluded with a hopeful message:
“Let us charge ahead like horses with courage, vitality, and energy, fight for our dreams and our happiness, and turn our great vision into beautiful realities.”
The evening concluded with a toast to the prosperity and friendship between China and the Netherlands. Guests were treated to a vibrant cultural programme featuring traditional dances and artistic performances, followed by an extensive buffet showcasing authentic Chinese gastronomy, marking the festive spirit of the upcoming Lunar New Year.
