Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji greeted new Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende on Tuesday, one day after his coalition government was sworn in.
In a message, the Chinese premier extended his cordial congratulations and best wishes to Balkenende on behalf of the Chinese government and in his own name, on the occasion of Balkenende's inauguration as prime minister of the Netherlands.
Zhu hoped that Balkenende, leader of Christian Democrats (CDA), would score great achievements during his premiership in the Netherlands.
Zhu noted that the Chinese government attaches importance to relations between China and the Netherlands, and will continue to work hand-in-hand with the new Dutch government to advance cooperative ties on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
Balkenende's government was sworn in on Monday after reaching agreement on forming a three center-right parties coalition cabinet to succeed the center-left cabinet led by Labor's Wim Kok.
The new government consists of the CDA, the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) and the VVD, which advocates free market policies.
(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2002)
