BEIJING — China and the Netherlands will strengthen cooperation in civil aviation, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said Oct 27 on its website.

The two countries will establish a working group on civil aviation cooperation, according to a memorandum signed between MIIT Minister Miao Wei and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders on Oct 27 in Beijing.

The two countries will accelerate cooperation in producing advanced, efficient, environment-friendly and safe aviation products, said the memorandum.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are visiting China from Oct 25 to 29. It is the King’s first state visit to China since he ascended the throne in April 2013. He is leading a huge trade delegation to China with 250 business people from 150 Dutch companies.

It is a reciprocal visit following President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the Netherlands in March 2014.

Both state leaders witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation agreements, ranging from finance, trade to aviation, technology and panda protection.