国内英语新闻:China, Netherlands to cement parliamentary exchanges

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Monday called for stronger parliamentary exchanges with the Netherlands.

Zhang made the remarks while meeting with Ankie Broekers-Knol, president of the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament.

Hailing the sound momentum of Sino-Dutch relations, Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Dutch King Willem-Alexander had exchanged visits and launched an open and pragmatic partnership of all-round cooperation between both countries.

China attaches great importance to the influence of the Netherlands in the European Union and appreciates the country's efforts in boosting China-EU ties, Zhang said.

Zhang and Broekers-Knol agreed to facilitate closer China-Dutch parliamentary exchanges and cooperation, consolidate political trust and share governance experience.

Broekers-Knol said cooperation between the countries is comprehensive and very important.