Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Wednesday that China hoped Holland would play a more active role for the further growth of China-EU relations.

Hu made the remarks at a meeting with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

Holland is to assume the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) soon and host the seventh China-EU summit.

Thanks to concerted efforts, the China-EU strategic partnership will be uplifted to new heights, Hu told Balkenende.

Hu also expressed satisfaction with the political and economic cooperation between the two countries. "Different social conditions put no barrier to bilateral exchanges and cooperation," he said.

Balkenende was the first Dutch PM to visit China after 1995 and the tour was his first visit to China.

Great changes have taken place in China, also a major player in the international affairs, he told Hu.

The Holland-China and EU-China relationship became more important under the new situation, he said, adding that Holland will made active efforts for the growth of such ties.

The Dutch PM said political mutual trust and compatible economic structure are the important characteristics in the bilateral ties and the two countries could carry out fruitful cooperation in economic, education, environment protection and agriculture areas, as well as in human rights dialogue.

Balkenende is paying the visit as guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2004)