Chinese and Dutch congress leaders on Thursday pledged to boost the ties between the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, and Dutch parliament as well as those between the two countries at large.

The pledge was made during the talks between NPC Standing Committee Vice-Chairman Wang Zhaoguo and Yvonne Timmerman-Buck, president of the First Chamber of State-General of the Netherlands, and her colleague Frans Weisglas, president of the Second Chamber of the Dutch parliament.

Bilateral relations between China and the Netherlands have been developing smoothly, Wang said.

He noted that bilateral cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, education, science and technology has been enhanced sustainedly.

China appreciates the Netherlands for its adherence to the one-China policy, said the NPC vice-chairman.

Wang said China hopes the Netherlands could push forward the China-EU all-around strategic partnership into a higher level during its tenure as the EU presidency.

The Netherlands took over the rotating presidency of the EU on July 1.

On the ties between the two parliaments, Wang said such ties have become an important part of the relations between China and the Netherlands and Chinese side is willing to continue to push forward the relations.

Timmerman-Buck and Weisglas spoke highly of Wang's visit to the Netherlands for the tour helps increase the mutual understanding.

The Dutch parliament is willing to strengthen the cooperation and dialogue with the NPC, said the two leaders.

Wang arrived in the Netherlands on July 6 for an official good-will visit. The Netherlands is the first leg of Wang's tour of four European countries, which will also take him to Iceland, Malta and Austria.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2004)