BRUSSELS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming Beijing Olympics are a culmination of three decades of profound change and a further step toward China's goal of a "harmonious society," Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende told Xinhua in a written interview Wednesday.

    Balkenende, who will visit China between Aug. 8 and 11 and attend the Olympics opening ceremony, expressed hope that his visit will help strengthen the "already strong" bilateral ties.

    China's progress since 1978 has been "spectacular and highly impressive," said the Dutch PM, who will be accompanied by the Netherlands' State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sports, Jet Bussemaker, on his trip to Beijing.

    "For the Chinese people themselves, the transformation must have been even more dramatic because of its direct impact on their own lives," said the 52-year-old Dutch leader.

    "In that sense, these Olympics represent the culmination of 30 years of profound change and a further step toward China's goal of a 'harmonious society'," said Balkenende, while adding that many challenges still remain.

    "I hope that hosting the Olympics will further contribute to China's ongoing process of opening up, not only outwardly to the wider world but also inwardly as a society and in terms of how the people and the government interact with each other," he said.

    The 29th Summer Olympic Games officially begins on Aug. 8 and will close on Aug. 24. More than 100 world leaders are expected to attend the opening and closing ceremonies.

    Balkenende said the main purpose of his visit is to attend the opening ceremony of the Games and to support Dutch athletes.

    The Netherlands has sent its biggest ever Olympic squad to Beijing, with more than 240 Dutch athletes getting ready to compete in over 20 events. The Dutch Olympic Committee aims to finish in the top 10 in the national medals tally.

    Speaking about China's preparations for the biggest-ever international event on its soil, Balkenende said he was impressed with media reports about the construction efforts in Beijing and the changes that have taken place so far.

    He said the Beijing Games' slogan "One World, One Dream" relates closely to the work of the United Nations and the common dreams of the citizens of the world -- dreams of a world without war, hunger or fear.

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948, embodies the dreams of the world, Balkenende said.

    "I hope that the Olympic Games will contribute positively to the image of China in the world and to further change in China."

    During his visit to China, his second since becoming prime minister in 2002, Balkenende will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and will hold talks with Premier Wen Jiabao.

    The Netherlands and China currently work together in many areas, such as trade and investment, water management, agriculture, legal matters and strengthening the rule of law, energy and combating climate change, Balkenende pointed out.

    "I hope that my visit will give a further boost to what is already a strong, cooperative relationship," he said.

    Balkenende said that he and Premier Wen have met on numerous occasions, and that they "regularly speak about issues of mutual concern, both in a bilateral and international context."

    "We have established a good personal relationship, which allows us to have frank and useful talks, even about issues we do not fully agree on," said the prime minister, who paid his last visit to China in April 2004.

    "Our discussions are always lively and interesting and I am looking forward to seeing my 'lao pengyou' (old friend) again."

    "The people of the Netherlands feel a deep, longstanding friendship with the Chinese and we look forward to further strengthening that friendship and our cooperation," Balkanende said .