The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China has bolstered cultural ties with the Netherlands by signing a cooperation agreement, the government said Thursday.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho said the move will open more creative visions and perspectives from different art and cultural exchanges with Holland.

He signed the agreement with Dutch Vice-Minister of Education, Culture & Science Medy van der Laan, making a formal framework to promote cultural cooperation, which will promote mutual awareness, respect, understanding, harmony and friendship between them.

"I look forward to exploring ways to further develop these cooperative initiatives and joining hands with the Netherlands to build a strong cultural alliance," Ho said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2005)