On the afternoon of August 25, 2003, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and his party.

Tang said that bilateral relations had developed with a good momentum, with mutual understanding and trust increasing day by day. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation achieved fruitful results. The Chinese government valued relations with the Netherlands and is willing to continuously promote bilateral relations, on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence.

Scheffer said China, as one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, played an important role in international affairs. The Netherlands is willing to strengthen relations with China.