On January 12, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander de Croo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the capital of China. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
BEIJING, Jan. 12, Xinhua — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander Decroo in Beijing on Friday.
President Xi noted that China attaches great importance to the development of China-Belgium relations, noting that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 53 years ago, bilateral cooperation has brought fruitful results and brought benefits to the peoples of both countries. He said he came.
China and Belgium are both beneficiaries of economic globalization and share common interests in resisting protectionism and upholding free trade, Xi said.
President Xi highly praised Mr. de Croo, who has repeatedly openly opposed the separation and fragmentation of industrial and supply chains, and welcomed Belgian companies to invest in China and provided a healthy business environment. He said he was prepared to do so, and expressed his hope that Belgium would do the same. Provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.
President Xi said the two countries can combine their respective strengths, expand cooperation in traditional areas such as transportation, logistics and biopharmaceuticals, and explore new growth areas for cooperation such as green development and digital economy. said.
He urged both countries to encourage government ministries, parliaments, and local governments to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, expand tourism and student exchanges, organize large-scale cultural activities in each other’s countries, and conduct research on giant panda conservation. asked to be encouraged. .
Xi said China is willing to strengthen communication with Belgium within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and carry out cooperation on issues such as climate change and biodiversity protection.
President Xi emphasized that China maintains long-term consistency in its policy towards Europe, saying that China has always regarded Europe as a partner and that Europe is a positive and constructive force as an important force in a multipolar world. He said he expected him to play an important role.
He added that in the face of the changing and unstable international situation, China and Europe need to further build “bridges”.
President Xi said the two countries should work more closely together to promote equal and orderly global multipolarization and economic globalization that benefits all, and jointly promote world peace, stability and prosperity. Stated.
China is ready to cooperate with the European Union (EU) to promote the development of China-EU relations in the new year and expects Belgium, as the EU’s rotating president, to play an active role in this regard. President Xi added.
Mr. Descroux said that Belgium-China relations are in many ways a guideline for European countries’ relations with China, adding that Belgium will continue to adhere to the “one China” policy and engage in frank dialogue with China. He pointed out that they will deepen their understanding and promote continued development. Development of bilateral relations in political, economic and other fields.
De Croo said Belgium opposes the decoupling and separation of industrial and supply chains, welcomes Chinese companies to cooperate in Belgium, and hopes to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges with China.
Mr. Decroux said that when he visited Belgium 10 years ago, he was deeply moved by President Xi’s vivid description of “bridges.”
Mr. Decroux said that in the changing and turbulent international situation, the world needs China and Europe to work together as partners and strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including promoting global economic growth, combating climate change, and building a more stable world. He said it was necessary to do so.
As Belgium’s rotating EU presidency, Belgium wants to play an active role in developing relations between the EU and China, and hopes that this visit will lead to improved relations between Belgium and China, and between the EU and China. he added. ■
On January 12, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Alexander de Croo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the capital of China. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)