Full text of interview with Mark Rutte, Dutch PM (4)

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Full text of interview with Mark Rutte, Dutch PM (4)

(People's Daily Online) 14:12, November 15, 2013

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PD Online: China is now committed to making a transformation from a country known for the expression ‘Made in China’ to the one known for ‘Created in China’. At the Beijing International Design Week this year, the Mayor of Amsterdam said he hoped we would see more ‘Sino-Dutch creations’. What do you understand by the expression ‘Sino-Dutch creation’? What are your expectations for ‘Sino-Dutch creation’?

Rutte: In the Netherlands the creative industries make up one of our ‘top sectors’ – the key industries where we envisage more growth in the years to come. Dutch creativity stems in part from the fact that we in the Netherlands are immersed in design. Everything in the built environment is thought about and designed. The creative industries represented nearly 2% of the Dutch economy in 2011.

We were delighted that the city of Amsterdam was Guest City of Beijing Design Week this year. The many different exhibitions were a wonderful example of Dutch creativity, which we hope can serve as a catalyst for many fruitful collaborative partnerships with China in the future. As a follow-up to Beijing Design Week, the Netherlands will take part in the Shenzhen Architecture Biennale in December this year.

PD Online: The Netherlands is recognised for its commitment to environmental protection. Could you share some of your successful experiences of urban pollution control? How could our two countries work together on environmental protection and air pollution control in the future?

Rutte: Urban pollution control in the Netherlands has been successful in the last few years due to good cooperation between the different competent authorities and levels of public administration (EU, state, provincial and municipal). Control of industrial and traffic emissions is regulated at EU level and implemented under Dutch law.

We can work together on environmental protection and air pollution control by regularly exchanging scientific and technical information about the application of control technologies and policies. I’d like to see us stepping up our collaboration through dialogue between the key players in this field.

PD Online: The number Chinese tourists to the Netherlands reached 210,000 in 2012, the highest of all Asian countries. Meanwhile, more and more Chinese students are choosing to go to the Netherlands. In addition, an increasing number of Chinese people are now living in the Netherlands due to investment or being hired by Dutch companies. Does the Netherlands have further policies or plans to attract Chinese tourists, students and immigrants? Are there any cooperative projects to promote exchanges between the two countries?

Rutte:The Netherlands will continue to support the current programmes facilitating the mobility of Chinese tourists, students, staff and researchers who wish to come to the Netherlands. During the Sino-Dutch Education Policy Dialogue on Vocational Education and Universities of Applied Sciences held on 1 November, the education ministries of both countries expressed their willingness to further encourage exchanges of Dutch and Chinese students and administrators from vocational education institutions.