AMSTERDAM, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived here Tuesday, kicking off an official goodwill visit to the Netherlands, the first leg of his four-European nation tour.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), is expected to meet with Queen Beatrix, caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and hold talks with presidents of the First and Second Chamber of parliament, Fred de Graaf and Gerdi Verbeet, during the three-day visit.
This is the first-ever visit by a Chinese top legislator to the Netherlands as the two countries mark their 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
"At present, Sino-Dutch relations are in the best period of history," said Wu in a written speech released upon his arrival, adding that the sound political and trade cooperation between the two countries has brought about tangible benefits to the two peoples and made positive contribution to relations between China and the European Union (EU).
"I believe the visit will help boost political trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges and make bilateral ties achieve greater progress," said Wu.
The Netherlands is China's second-largest trading partner and third-largest foreign investment source within the EU.
Besides the Netherlands, Wu will also visit Croatia, Luxembourg and Spain.