Editor's Note

Elegantly dressed in formal attire, there's a group of people, who always actively engage in important diplomatic and foreign affairs events. Despite their busy schedule, they take time to explore the vibrant streets and alleys of Beijing, immersing themselves in the history and cultural allure of this modern metropolis. Who are they? They are ambassadors representing over 170 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, in China.

Curious about their impressions of Beijing? Which popular tourist attractions have they visited, and what cuisines do they like? Do they prefer unwinding at a cafe in Sanlitun, cycling along the riverbanks, or taking leisurely strolls after work? Moreover, what messages do they wish to convey to the people of Beijing?

To explore these questions, the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office has partnered with Beijing Daily and Beijing Radio & Television Station to create the “Beijing in the Eyes of Ambassadors” series. In today’s edition, we will meet with H.E. André Haspels, Ambassador of the Netherlands to China. Let’s hear his stories about Beijing amidst the gentle spring breeze of Zhongshan Park!

On March 17, the 2025 Beijing Tulip Culture Festival kicked off in Zhongshan Park. Ambassador Haspels was invited to visit the park, where he took a brisk stroll through the Chinese-style gardens, admiring the season’s nascent blossoms. As the early spring breeze still carried a slight chill, most of the tulips had not yet reached their peak bloom. “It will take a couple more weeks before the bulbs come out… Maybe two weeks, we will have the tulips blossoming here,” the ambassador noted. “I think the spring shows a new beginning of the year, also a gain of hope, a new start, and something of optimism. That’s what I’d like to see in our relationship as well between China and the Netherlands.”

There’s So Much to Say About Beijing

As Ambassador Haspels assumed his current role in the autumn of 2023, this marks his second spring in Beijing. Speaking of this city he has lived in for almost two years, his deep affection for it was evident beyond words. “If I have to qualify it in one word, I think it’s ‘impressive’,” stated Ambassador Haspels. He believes that, Beijing, with a population nearly equivalent to that of the entire Netherlands, is a true megacity in every sense. Beijing is also rich in cultural and historical heritage. The ambassador has taken great interest in Beijing’s Central Axis, and followed closely its successful inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. He emphasized that the axis is very important, including landmarks that are located along it, such as the Forbidden City, the Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, and praised Beijing’s heritage preservation efforts. “We also like to go to the Temple of Heaven in the evening, where they have special tours,” said the ambassador.

Ambassador Haspels has also found enjoyment in Beijing as a sports fan. On weekends, he often goes for walks, especially in Chaoyang Park and along the footpath by the Liangma River, both located near the embassy area. “It’s a nice city to walk around”, said the ambassador. Aside from the city center, Ambassador Haspels and his family sometimes also head to the outskirts to spend time in nature. “One of my hobbies is to go to Changcheng, the Great Wall, where you can hike. So on a Saturday or Sunday, we take a car and go there,” he said. “Because the city is nice, but being outside the city is also nice. So we like both.”

When asked about the convenience of living in Beijing as a foreigner, Ambassador Haspels acknowledged that living abroad always comes with some challenges, but noted, “I think you are making great progress”. One of the main difficulties, he said, is adapting to local payment methods. In Beijing, you can pay for almost everything with mobile payment apps, so it’s important to be well-informed about how they work. As for transportation, he praised the efficiency of ride-hailing services, saying that getting a taxi within minutes is fantastic. “If I go on weekends for private tours, we always go with Didi. It’s very convenient.” He also highlighted the bilingual signage in public spaces throughout the city, adding, “they work, and help.”

Pragmatic Cooperation with Remarkable Results

“Flowers can bring joy to people,” said the ambassador, adding that they also “resemble the friendship of communication.” During the visit of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in 1977, she gifted over 30 varieties of tulip bulbs to China. These bulbs were planted in Zhongshan Park, where they continue to bloom as a beautiful symbol of the two nations’ friendship. Today, China has become one of the largest export markets for Dutch flowers, including tulips and lilies.

“Cooperation is not just about selling. It’s also about working together, about exchanging technology.” Ambassador Haspels pointed out that the Netherlands and China have close cooperation in the field of agriculture and horticulture, particularly in the seed industry. In Pinggu District, Wageningen University and Research, as a co-founder of the Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Center, is actively contributing to the development of the High-Tech Farming Z-Park. When speaking about Dutch companies’ active participation in Beijing’s flagship events, such as the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), Ambassador Haspels stressed that “wherever we can work together, we should.” Looking ahead, he expressed hope for deeper cooperation in areas such as new energy technologies and solutions for aging societies.

In the cultural sector, the ambassador believes that cultural exchanges are just as vital as engagement in the political and economic spheres. He noted that the Netherlands hosts a variety of book fairs and film festivals every year that the Dutch people take great pride in. He expressed his commitment to promoting more cultural exchange activities between the Netherlands and China. In particular, he highlighted the recently opened exhibition titled “Crafted Journey” in Beijing’s 798 Art Zone, featuring pottery, local crafts and jewelry of both countries. Ambassador Haspels also revealed plans to bring more Dutch music and film events, as well as book fairs to Beijing in the future.

The Land of Tulips Welcomes Visitors from Beijing

Although the Netherlands is small in size, it boasts remarkable strengths across many areas of development. When speaking about his home country, the ambassador proudly took on the role of a tourism ambassador, highlighting Amsterdam’s museums and canals, Rotterdam’s modern architecture, and Delft’s iconic blue-and-white pottery workshops. He noted that these are places well worth visiting, and that tourists can “enjoy our food, our cities and our villages.”

He also highly recommended some of the lesser-known destinations, such as Groningen, an ideal place for observing the starry sky due to low levels of light pollution; Leeuwarden, where tourists can explore legends of knights at medieval castles; and Giethoorn, where interconnected canals allow visitors to take boat tours and enjoy the scenic beauty along the way. Ambassador Haspels mentioned that the best time to visit the Netherlands is from May to September, when tourists can cycle through picturesque countryside by day and watch sunsets at the beach in the evening. It would be even better when paired with local specialties like raw herring and Dutch pancakes—a perfect way to savor the authentic taste of the Netherlands.

“Also, try to talk with the Dutch.” He added, “Dutch people in general speak English quite well. They are proud of their country and they can tell you more about it.”