From June 9th to 10th 2003, Mr.Qiao Zonghuai, leading member of Chinese Foreign Ministry visited the Netherlands and held political consultations with Dutch Foreign Ministry officials in the Hague.  During his visit, Mr. Qiao met with Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Dutch Foreign Minister, Mr. Majoor, Secretary-General of the Dutch Foreign Ministry, and held talks with Mr. Siblesz, Director-General for political relations of the Dutch Foreign Ministry.  

　　Mr. Qiao congratulated Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on his resumption of the post of foreign minister and conveyed to him the greetings from Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, Chinese State Councilor, and Mr. Li Zhaoxing, Chinese Foreign Minister.  Mr. Qiao renewed the invitation to Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to visit China at a time convenient to both sides.  Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer accepted the invitation with pleasure.

　　The two sides exchanged views on bilateral and China-EU relations as well as other regional and international issues of mutual concern.  Both sides were satisfied with the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of political relations, economic and trade cooperation, culture, education and sports in recent years.  It is the common intention to address current problems in bilateral relations in a constructive approach so as to promote the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries to a new level.  The two sides promised to strengthen the consultation and cooperation in international affairs.