Working visit to China - program
At the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will pay a working visit to China on 7 February. On 8 February Her Majesty Queen Máxima will take part in an economic programme in Beijing. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will accompany her. Besides the programme with the royal couple, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will also meet with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.
Wednesday 7 February
One of the Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs will welcome the King and Queen at Beijing airport. They will then be briefed at the residence of the Dutch Ambassador by several experts on Chinese politics, the economy and the Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative is a modern version of the Silk Road and is aimed at promoting trade and economic integration among the participating countries. China is investing in roads, pipelines, ports, communication networks and other infrastructure to strengthen these partnerships.
In the late afternoon, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will receive the royal couple. They will then meet President Xi Jinping and his wife, Ms Peng Liyuan, and take part in a meeting between the two countries’ delegations. The working visit will conclude with a dinner with the president and his wife.
China is an important ‘new’ player on the global stage on issues such as climate change. It also has the world’s second-biggest economy, and the Netherlands is its third-largest trading partner in the EU. Both countries depend on the smooth functioning of global trade, which requires frequent contacts and ongoing cooperation.
The working visit is building on the close relationship which was established during the reciprocal state visits in 2014 and 2015. Maintaining good ties with China enhances the quality of bilateral cooperation at all levels.
Thursday 8 February
King Willem-Alexander will leave on 8 February to attend the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Queen Máxima will begin the second day of her visit by attending a round-table discussion on Green Finance.
At the round-table Dutch and Chinese stakeholders will discuss cooperation on Green Finance between the Netherlands and China. In Green Finance, economic growth is combined with CO2 emission reductions, reduction of waste flows and better use of natural resources. Companies working on clean technology as well as Dutch banks and pension funds are working in China to hone Green Finance concepts and develop standards.
After the round-table discussion Queen Máxima will be present at a meeting of Chinese and Dutch business people, where the entrepreneurs will learn from one another and consolidate their ties.
To round off the visit, she will visit a Sino-Dutch architectural firm located in a former state printing plant. After a tour, she will talk with Chinese architects about sustainable urban development, urban water management, and their relation to climate change.