China, Netherlands reaffirm multilateralism, safeguarding the global trading system

China and the Netherlands reaffirmed on Thursday their commitment to upholding multilateralism and safeguarding the global trading system centered on the World Trade Organization.

The pledge was made during talks between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp in Beijing. The two-day visit, starting on Wednesday, marks Veldkamp's first official visit to China since assuming office in July 2024.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of rules-based open trade, a fair global business environment, and the role of trade in driving global economic growth, as unilateralism, protectionism, and power politics are undermining the foundations of international trade.

The two nations also agreed to strengthen dialogue, deepen practical cooperation in a wide range of fields, and expand people-to-people exchanges to jointly advance the steady development of their open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation.

"China will remain committed to high-level opening-up regardless of changes in the international environment," Wang emphasized, inviting the Netherlands to explore further cooperation in clean energy, green development, artificial intelligence, and the silver economy.

The Netherlands is China's second-largest trading partner within the European Union, with bilateral trade exceeding $100 billion for four consecutive years.

Wang also expressed hope that the Netherlands will provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in the country.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. Wang hoped that the Netherlands, as a founding member and core nation of the bloc, would play a more constructive role in supporting the sustained development of China-EU ties.

Describing China as an important economic and trade partner, Veldkamp expressed admiration for the country's remarkable development achievements and reaffirmed the Netherlands' commitment to the one-China policy.

Highlighting the importance of EU-China relations, he said enhanced cooperation serves the interests of all parties, pledging that the Netherlands is ready to make positive contributions toward that goal.

He also welcomed China's implementation of a unilateral visa-free policy for Dutch citizens and expressed the hope that people-to-people exchanges between the two countries will continue to deepen.

The two sides also discussed upholding multilateralism and responding to climate change as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations as well as the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

Both sides reiterated the respect for the international system with the UN at its core and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

They pledged to promote the full, effective, and balanced implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and to strengthen cooperation on climate adaptation and green transformation. They voiced support for achieving positive outcomes at the upcoming COP30 climate conference.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to jointly advancing the goal of ensuring equal rights for all, especially women and girls.