[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Despite COVID, geopolitical and economic perils, interest from the Western world in China continues to grow. This is also true the other way around as businesses in both China and the Netherlands are seeing opportunities again and tourism will also recover in the coming years. City ties are coming under increasing scrutiny and are often under pressure. However, a recent survey shows that a large number of Dutch cities and provinces still have working relations with China. Furthermore, there is a significant number of adoptive parents with a Chinese child and there are more than 4,000 students in more than 50 schools in the Netherlands where the Chinese language is taught. Consequently, Chinese culture continues to attract considerable interest. The Netherlands-China Association (VNC) bridges the cultures of both countries and their divergent lifestyles and ways of thinking. The VNC has been a link between the Netherlands and China since 1977. The objective of the association is to promote contacts between the two countries. The VNC informs interested parties about Chinese society and organizes a variety of activities to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. The VNC is a Dutch organization, not tied to any social or political movement and operating from an independent, neutral position. The VNC works exclusively with volunteers and consists of members and corporate members. Anyone interested in Chinese culture and society can become a member. Corporate membership applies to companies, institutions, municipalities and provinces that have contacts in China. The VNC office with an extensive information and documentation center is located in The Hague. The activities organized by the VNC are very diverse. From a briefing between peers, to a master class at the Fair and a screening or premiere of a film. But also organizing a cultural events such as the National Chinese New Year with the cultural exchanges between music groups, artists, study groups and directors, workshops and exhibitions, are among the possibilities the VNC can offer. With so many activities, running the association is sometimes not an easy task. In doing so, it sometimes seems that there seems to be no end to what the directors have to do. The question arises, to what extent can you then ask board members to go the extra mile. In the VNC this is certainly the case, without active directors and working groups the association will not live. The board hopes that you will want to actively contribute to activities for the coming year. If you would like to participate in a working group, start writing articles, open a blog or contribute behind the scenes to that, it would be greatly appreciated. We hope to hear from you soon!
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