BEIJING — The bilateral relations between China and the Netherlands have entered the best period in history, with the two sides reaching a consensus on expanding their comprehensive cooperative partnership, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Oct 11.

China and the Netherlands are currently enjoying a fast development of economic and trade cooperation, said Gao Feng, the MOC spokesperson, at a regular news briefing held in Beijing.

According to Gao, China-Netherlands trade in goods reached $78.4 billion last year, an all-time high and up 16 percent year-on-year.

The Netherlands is China’s second-largest trade partner in the EU, while China is the Netherlands’ second-largest non-EU trade partner.

While increasing two-way investment rapidly, the two sides have broad prospects for future cooperation in agriculture, innovation, energy efficiency and environmental protection and high technology, he said.

China is willing to expand international cooperation with the Netherlands within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and boost bilateral trade by using platforms including the upcoming 2018 China International Import Expo, Gao added.