Chinese President Hu Jintao said during a meeting with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende on Wednesday that China hopes Holland will play a more active role in furthering the growth of China-EU relations.

Holland will soon assume the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) and host the Seventh China-EU Summit.

With concerted efforts, the China-EU strategic partnership will attain new heights, Hu told Balkenende.

Hu expressed satisfaction with the political and economic ties between the two countries. “Different social conditions are no barrier to bilateral exchanges and cooperation,” he said.

Balkenende is the first Dutch PM to visit China since 1995 and the tour is his first visit here.

Great changes have taken place in China, which is also a major player in the international affairs, he commented.

Holland-China and EU-China relations have become increasingly important, he said, adding that Holland will work actively to expand these ties.

The Dutch PM said mutual trust between governments and compatible economic structures are important characteristics in bilateral relations. The two countries can work together fruitfully in such areas as economics, education, environmental protection and agriculture, as well as in human rights dialogue.

Balkenende is on a four-day visit to China at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2004)