Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong received a Dutch delegation led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte yesterday and welcomed their visit on behalf of the 24 million Shanghai people.

Yang said it was a great honor for Shanghai that the Dutch prime minister chose Shanghai as the first stop of their visit in China. Shanghai and the Netherlands enjoy long-term friendship and cooperation.

Shanghai has learned a lot from Rotterdam in port construction and management. Many Dutch companies have contributed enormously to Shanghai’s development, the mayor added.

He said Shanghai is bent on developing the free trade zone and building itself into an international center of economy, finance, trade, shipping and innovation. He welcomes Dutch companies to be a part of this process.

Shanghai wants to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with the Netherlands in agriculture, science and technology, culture, and social management. The cooperation is not limited to big corporations, but also covers small and medium-sized enterprises of both countries.

Rutte said tens of Dutch companies have moved into Shanghai FTZ and their feedback is positive. The Netherlands will increase cooperation with Shanghai in food safety and environmental protection.

Dutch ambassador to China Aart Jacobi and Dutch Consul-General in Shanghai Anneke Adema joined the meeting.