On December 11, 2001, Chinese Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao met with Mr. Frank de Grave, the visiting Dutch Defense Minister in Beijing.

　　Mr. Wen was satisfied with the steady development of Sino-Dutch relations in recent years.  He said that there have been frequent mutual visits by leaders of the two countries.  The friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and the Netherlands in political and economic fields are developing steadily. The Chinese side attaches importance to the development of the bilateral relations with the Netherlands and hopes to work with the Dutch side to promote the relations to a higher level in the new century.

　　Mr. Wen reiterated the position of the Chinese government on resolving the Taiwan question.  He also appreciated the position of the Dutch government on declining arms sales to Taiwan and adhering to the One China policy.

　　Mr. de Grave congratulated China on its accession to the World Trade Organization and its successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.  He hoped to continue to promote the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the two military forces.

　　Mr. Wu Quanxu, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, and Mr. De Heer, the Dutch Ambassador to China were also present at the meeting.