On 16 July 2025, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Royal Philips CEO Roy Jakobs in Beijing to discuss the company’s cooperation in China, government procurement matters and other issues. The meeting signals continued momentum in China–Netherlands and China–EU economic relations.
During the meeting, Minister Wang said China is the world’s second largest consumer and import market. Guided by President Xi Jinping’s statement that China’s “door to openness will only open wider”, the government will continue to improve the business climate, build a unified national market, strengthen intellectual property protection and boost domestic consumption. He encouraged Philips to continue investing in China and to promote innovation partnerships in healthcare and other sectors.
Wang warned that unilateralism and protectionism are disrupting the international trading order. He called on the business community to support free trade and the multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade Organization. The minister hoped Philips would help persuade Dutch and EU stakeholders to uphold free trade and contribute to the steady development of China–Netherlands and China–EU economic ties.
Jakobs said Philips remains confident in the outlook for China’s economy. The company will expand research and development in China, advance projects such as its Greater China Innovation Technology Centre, and continue to participate in the China International Import Expo and trade in schemes encouraging the replacement of old products with new ones. Philips is ready to act as a bridge for deeper cooperation between the Netherlands and China, and more broadly between the EU and China, particularly in healthcare and sustainability.
Background：
Philips is a Dutch multinational health technology company that has been present in China since the 1980s. Its businesses span lighting, diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, making it a major representative of Dutch investment in China. The Chinese government has stepped up efforts to attract foreign investment and to create platforms such as the Import Expo to foster international cooperation. The Netherlands is one of China’s key trading partners within the EU, with strong potential for collaboration in technology, agriculture and healthcare.
Closing：
The meeting underscores the confidence of Dutch multinationals in the Chinese market and highlights the resilience and prospects of China–Netherlands and China–EU economic cooperation. Through open and mutually beneficial collaboration, both sides aim to advance new technologies and industries and to inject fresh momentum into bilateral and wider China–EU economic relations.
This article is based on public reporting from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.
Original source: https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfb/bldhd/art/2025/art_97e75b136205438495d4b225d905c524.html
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