Premier Li Keqiang talked with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte over the phone on April 7. He said that both China and the Netherlands are facing COVID-19 challenges, and China is willing to intensify cooperation with the international society including the Netherlands on epidemic control and prevention, in order to jointly safeguard global public health security.

Premier Li encouraged the governments and people of the two countries to support and help each other during the epidemic outbreak. China is willing to offer convenience for the Netherlands in purchasing and transporting urgent medical supplies from China through commercial channels, and will continue to strictly control the export product quality, said the Premier.

Premier Li also expressed his hope that the Netherlands can effectively protect Chinese citizens living there and ensure their safety and life convenience, especially Chinese students studying there.

Premier Li said that both China and the Netherlands should support free trade, jointly maintain the stability and safety of global industrial and supply chains, and ensure smooth international freight transportation, while strengthening cooperation to fight the epidemic.

Rutte thanked China for support and convenience to his country on combating the virus, which showed the friendship between the two countries in difficulties.

The Netherlands is confident in the quality of China-made medical supplies and will guarantee the safety of Chinese nationals in his country, Rutte said, adding that the Dutch side will strengthen cooperation with China to further the development of their ties.

Wang Yi and He Lifeng also participated.