Dutch gov’t still considers China a partner, despite parliament push for distance

The lower house of Dutch parliament, the Tweede Kamer, thinks that China should not be considered a partner of the Netherlands anymore. The Cabinet sees that the country is becoming more of a rival but does not yet want to make such a drastic step. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp, said in a debate about the superpower that China is just too important currently.

The Tweede Kamer wants a tougher approach to China as the country is supporting Russia in its war with Ukraine, is spying on a large scale, and is committing an increasing amount of human rights abuses. The Chinese have been accused of human rights abuses toward the Uyghurs, a Muslim minority.

In addition, members of parliament are concerned about China’s mentality regarding Taiwan, which is considered a renegade province by China. The Netherlands has significant economic interests when it comes to this conflict. A Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan would have enormous consequences for the Netherlands.

“China is one of the most significant threats to our safety. I do see any urgency,” said Don Ceder of the ChristenUnie. Isa Kahraman of the NSC asked whether it was time for a “fundamentally different China strategy.” Tom van der Lee of GroenLinks-PvdA feels that the Cabinet’s policy regarding this is too passive.

The Netherlands wants to build up a “good friendship” with China, the minister said in response to these comments. At the same time, he has "no illusions about the regime’s character.”

Veldkamp emphasized that the Cabinet is confronting China when it comes to the affairs mentioned. Prime Minister Dick Schoof did this during a visit by Chinese Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang last month, the minister added.

Boundaries need to be set, Veldkamp said. He pointed out that the Netherlands is one of the driving forces behind European steps against Chinese companies that are circumventing Russian sanctions. VVD member Eric van der Burg thinks that the Cabinet can do more when it comes to this and has to “test the limits.”

The Tweede Kamer wants more to be done for Taiwan. However, Veldkamp does not like the proposition of sending a minister there. He described that idea as “symbol politics that does not work.”

He also finds it more important that he visits China first. This is going to happen next month. Prime Minister Schoof and the Minister of Foreign Trade, Reinette Klever, are planning on visiting China this year.

The Cabinet does have an eye on Taiwan, the minister said. They also contribute to the island's resilience, including in the area of ​​cybersecurity, he said. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has said for a long time that reunification with the mainland is inevitable.

It is not yet clear what the new U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies toward China will be. Veldkamp said that, in any case, the competition between the United States and China will intensify.