In the dispute over Western export restrictions on high technology, President Xi Jinping had strong words during his meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Beijing: „No power can stop the pace of scientific and technological development and progress in China,“ Xi said according to a report by state television. The Chinese people have a right to development. Xi criticized Rutte sharply for obstructing access to Western high technology. „Decoupling and cutting off connections lead to nowhere, and cooperation is the only option,“ Xi said.